BHS Jacket 2023/24 Issue 2

BERKELEY HIGH

PUBLISHED BY AND FOR THE STUDENTS OF BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL

www.berkeleyhighjacket.com • friday, SEP 22, 2023

NO. 2

NEWS

since 1912

Berkeley Eviction Moratorium expires: ‘Currently, I’m homeless’

BY MAYA DANG staff writer

On Aug. 31 2023, Berkeley’s Eviction Moratorium expired, following a 41 month-long hold on evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium, which enhanced protections for tenants against eviction, kept many families housed within an uncertain situation. Now, the impacts are being felt.

Berkeley’s Eviction Moratorium prohibited evictions except for those required for public health by the City of Berkeley. The moratorium also allowed eviction if the property was taken off the market, or if eviction was necessary for the health and safety of residents. Currently, residents may be evicted if the landlord can show “good cause for eviction” under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance or state law.

According to Leah SimonWeisberg, chair of the Berkeley Rent Board, the Eviction Moratorium was an effective policy for mitigating housing insecurity during PAGE 3 SABINE SHAFFER

OPINION

Relationships with counselors are vital

BY ADITYA SRIDHARAN staff writer

Students are often encouraged to build relationships with their counselors, but the value of a strong student-counselor relationship can be overlooked. The support and stability counselors are able to bring to students’ academic lives is indispensable, and cultivating a strong bond with one’s counselor is essential to making the most of this critical relationship.

There are a multitude of reasons to build a bond with your counselor, in addition to receiving a good letter of recommendation for college. Counselors help students strive for academic success, find extracurricular opportunities, and plan for life after high school.

A College Board summary containing the findings of six studies on the effect

of school counselors on student outcomes wrote that a solid academic counseling program drastically increased students’ ACT scores, the number of students taking the ACT, and enhanced students’ results in math and reading as measured by state achievement tests.

Stella Pfeifer, a Berkeley High School senior, spoke about how students should go about building relationships with their counselors and whether it should be on the students or the counselors to reach out. “Self-advocacy is a great skill … I think all students should be actively reaching out to their counselors. … At the same time, students are busy, and I think it’s important for counselors to make their faces known,” said Pfiefer.

Pfeifer also spoke about her relationship with her previous BHS counselor. “I had Ms. Offerman since freshman PAGE 5

BHS’s Multisport Athletes BHS is full of athletes who play more than one sport. It’s a constant challenge figuring out what to prioritize, but there are benefits too. PAGE 16

Angie Soto in her classroom.

ALEX TRIPCEVICH

FEATURES

New teachers adjust, seeking community

BY ELSA DIETZ staff writer

“It’s a lot of things to adjust to (since) it’s such a huge campus compared to my old school … I’m trying to get the lay of the land, you know, what are the norms?” said Justin Valencia, a new Berkeley International High School (BIHS) Global History and IB History of the Americas teacher. The start

of a new school year brings in new teachers and new students alike, and it can be challenging to acclimate to a completely new environment.

“It can be very difficult because it’s kind of like the first day of school at a new school … There’s always these small things that you don’t think about that are different, even … down to like, you know, not knowing where the bathroom is, or like not knowing other teachers,” said

Roberto Figueroa, a new Jazz Lab 1 and 2 teacher.

Although the transition to a new school can be difficult, Valencia appreciates both his students and his fellow staff members for helping him through this change. “I have a super supportive staff. We’re a very close cohort in terms of how we collaborate, which has made my transition a whole lot easier,” said Valencia, who explained that a close community of teachers can be

rare to find.

For Angie Soto, a Spanish teacher, part of the difficulty of coming to a new school was creating new lesson plans and classroom decorations. “I didn’t have many decorations or stuff, as other teachers will have at this point … I feel like I’m doing everything from scratch right now,” said Soto.

Soto, who taught in Colombia and Spain before moving to the Bay Area, noticed a lot of differences PAGE 10

Hollywood’s inaccurate version of high school

Submit to the Jacket’s Latinx Heritage Month Issue

More often than not, teen movies just reflect tried cliches. Why does this happen, and who does it impact? PAGE 14

Submit art, writing, or any other form of expression regarding your Latinx or Chicanx identity. More details on PAGE 7

2 F R I D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 3

NEWS EDITORS: FINOLA JACKSON & AARON STEVENS

NEWS BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

AARONSTEVENS@STUDENTS.BERKELEY.NET

The BHS Health Center has started offering free Fentanyl strips

BY MINAMI SOGA staff writer

This year, the Berkeley High Health Center began offering free fentanyl strips to Berkeley High School students, in collaboration with the Harm Education Reduction Organization (HERO). HERO

is a student-led organization that promotes harm reduction and aims to create a safe space for drug education through restorative justice rather then zero-tolerance.

The HERO club proposed the idea to bring fentanyl strips to BHS in response to rising fentanyl overdose rates in teenagers. According to the

CLAUDIA BLOOM

Center for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl overdose rates in teenagers have doubled in the past three years. Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs to increase the potency, but users are not always aware of its presence, as it is odorless and tasteless.

Fentanyl strips are small strips of paper that indicate the presence of fentanyl in a substance, which protects students from accidentally consuming fentanyl. “(My) main concern was just how much more common fentanyl lacing was becoming and how, over time, the most common drugs to overdose on have shifted,” said Nina Thompson, the president of HERO. “At least at Berkeley High, almost no one is intentionally taking fentanyl.”

HERO operates upon the idea that some students will take drugs, but that harm reduction tactics and drug education are effective in

promoting student safety. for fentanyl strips from fentanyl specifically, but it’s Menaka Gentle, a Universal club members and a parent definitely not 100 percent,” Ninth Grade Ethnic Studies volunteer. The parent volunteer said Thompson. teacher who teaches harm first donated fentanyl strips Gentle agreed with the reduction, also believes that to HERO for club members projected helpfulness. “I think these fentanyl strips are to distribute at BHS and to it’ll be extremely effective,” said necessary and will Gentle. “Fentanyl has help protect students. been the biggest killer “ I t ’s r e a l l y “(My) main concern was just how with drugs for the past imp or tant not to much more common fentanyl lacing few years. And it’s in d e mon i z e or put so many drugs. And was becoming.” down people that since teenagers are at are experimenting, that age where they’re Nina Thompson, b e c aus e t hat has experimenting, and never helped,” said they may be trying HERO President Gentle. “Your brain new things, it could is really plastic right really help them and now, which means that you’re assess interest among students. save their lives.” basically hardwired to want to The parent also bought the According to Thompson, try new things and take risks. second set of fentanyl strips. the HERO club has future (But) some of those risks are The club is currently planning plans to expand its drug really dangerous.” fundraisers to help restock and consent education to HERO initially contacted the strips. students to a greater extent the Health Center to establish Thomps on hop es t he along with informational a protocol for obtaining fentanyl strips will be effective announcements. They hope to fentanyl strips. Currently, the i n pre v e nt i n g s t u d e nt s provide other supplementary club acquires the strips, then from accidental fentanyl assets at school to further provides them to the Health consumption. enhance student safety and Center for distribution. “ The y greatly reduce provide the much needed HERO obtains funding the risk of overdose from resources.

Interim Principal Tonia Coleman reflects on goals for the year and brainstorming. However, psychologists,” said Coleman. control, allows teachers to be Coleman’s term so far, she has as principal, she is excited about Unity implemented postive changes included in all the Week.” such as various students decisions but isn’t the A s f o r o t h e r reading out the positive “That’s all that we want, for Tonia Coleman is the “point person” as she s c h o o l e v e n t s , Friday shoutouts over the our kids is to be in class learning, interim Berkeley High School was as vice principal.

Coleman said, “We loudspeaker. She wants to enjoying being on campus ... ” principal for the fall semester.

When Coleman are working on a continue to welcome new She previously served as a vice explained her feelings senior surprise,” but voices on the announcements . principal under Juan Raygoza about starting the declined the request “I would love for other Tonia Coleman, who is on paternity leave until j ob, she s ai d, “I to release further students to come on and Interim Principal January. was ner vous … I details. read the shout outs with me Coleman has worked with was thinking about D u r i n g and promote their club or Raygoza since she got hired six getting ready for the school According to Coleman, this years ago. year and getting up in front year has been going “extremely “I learned from him every of the entire staff to do my well.” New updates include the day,” said Coleman. “His welcome speech. It went very wellness center opening and a decisions are student centered well and teachers are excited successful welcome assembly. and he is a model for the vice to be back, and I’m really She also noted the significant principals, counselors, and enjoying the work.” turnout at sports games, full of teachers. He does a fabulous She expressed gratitude for positive energy and cheering. job.” her fellow staff as well.

Demonstrations like these These years of experience “I have an ama z i ng inspire administration to have s et her up continue to host for success for the and encourage job, according to other school spirit “ ... being a vice principal at Coleman.

Berkeley High for six years put me in events, including “I believe that upcoming Unity the best position possible to be interim Week. being a vice principal principal.” at Berkeley High for “In the past, six years put me in when we talked the best position about Unity Tonia Coleman, possible to be We ek, we were Interim Principal interim principal.” not on b o ard,” She continued said Coleman. by explaining that the vice administrative team, our vice “But the positive nature (of) principal position involves principals, deans, our support students showing up and active participation in meetings staff, our counselors, and being engaged. but not out of Tonia Coleman, interim principal, sitting in her office.

BY LUCY GRIFFITH staff writer

whatever’s going on,” Coleman said.

She ended by talking about what she sees her goals are for the term.

“That’s all that we want, for our kids is to be in class learning, enjoying being on campus, and looking forward to school events. It does not get better than that.” Coleman said.

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NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

3

Berkeley faces the end of the COVID-19 eviction moratorium firsthand.

“Currently, I’m COVID-19. homeless,” said a BHS “While it’s ended now, I student, who wished to think it made a big difference remain anonymous for for tenants,” said Simonprivacy reasons. “I’m not Weisberg. “It kept tenants in a stable place. I’m with a in Berkeley housed. And we friend (and) I do not have saw almost no increase in privacy. I live with older homelessness, and people and they we saw almost no tend to go on with evictions.” their lives,” she said. “...we saw almost no increase in M a n y homelessness, and we saw almost no “And they go out communities partying and come evictions.” who were kept home very late or in their homes want to party while Leah Simon Weisberg, during the time I’m there. So I can’t when the Eviction rest, (and) can’t go Chair of Berkeley Rent Board Moratorium was to sleep because I in place are now have to go by what experiencing Some BHS students have they say or do. It’s their housing challenges. experienced this impact place.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Leticia Amezcua works in the Parent Resource Center, which aims to serve all BHS families with an emphasis on disenfranchised BIPOC families. She stated that evictions can impact both a family and a child’s education.

ALEX MORGAN

According to the student, apartment here in Berkeley. the Eviction Moratorium on her education has been The rest have to move and Sept. 12, 2023 and resulted affected significantly. find another school because in altercations between the “There is also a BPOA and various lot of homework tenant associations and I also have to such as the Tenant “Out of all the families that I can work. That is where think of, only one was able to find an and Neighborhood I have to decide Councils and the apartment here in Berkeley.” what is (the) most Berkeley Tenants important: work or Union.

Leticia Amezcua, school,” she said.

According to “I have to work Simon-Weisberg, BHS Engagement Specialist and that means tenants should that I cannot pay know that they still too much attention to my it’s far out from here. Two have protections and should schoolwork.” families went to Sacramento reach out to the Berkeley According to Amezcua, (and) others have to move to Rent Board for assistance. who declined to share Richmond.”

She shared that the best personal identification of According to Irma thing to do to protect your the family to respect their Parker, a Family tenancy is taking action and privacy, a Berkeley family Engagement staff member reaching out for help. of six who was living in at the BHS Parent Resource In the Parent Resource a small apartment was Center, eviction can happen Center, much that they evicted and forced to move for many reasons. do in order to provide for out. She mentioned that “Some are personal,” said families who need support the challenging part of Parker. “And some are just are taking care of their basic this situation was that they because maybe the landlord goals, stated Amezcua. That didn’t earn enough money doesn’t care for the tenant or could include food, lawyers, to rent in Berkeley and it the tenant doesn’t care for school supplies, clothes, or was difficult to find any the landlord.” shoes. housing that’s under $2000.

Parker added that “It’s an obstacle in my “Everything in Berkeley’s landlords often feel financial life and even though it’s above $2,500 a too much, I know month, and so it’s it won’t be forever. very challenging, “... I just try to find ways to motivate My father is ill and trying to find a space it’s something that myself so I won’t fall ...” for them that ... they I have to deal with can rent so that at my age,” said the Anonymous BHS Student the kids can stay in anonymous student.

Berkeley schools.”

“But I just try to find said Amezcua. ways to motivate “Finding a place doesn’t pressure to evict tenants. myself so I won’t fall ... and always happen. I haven’t A party was held by the I try to put on a brave face been that lucky. Out of all the Berkeley Property Owners so that I can feel better ... I families that I can think of, Association (BPOA) to know there will be a time for only one was able to find an commemorate the ending of new beginnings.”

AGES Club provides students free gender-affirming clothing circumstance. If delivered to free gender-affirming remain anonymous for safety Scan this QR Code to school, one can pick it up in clothing in presentations to reasons, said that the largest fill out the anonymous the AGES room. classes. Other campaigns for problem trans students face form for free, genderThe gender-affirming the club involve getting more is “administration and the affirming clothing. The program was created by LGBTQ+ holidays onto the general public not caring Berkeley High’s Alliance AGES Club will help trans students for trans calendar and creating events enough about trans people for Gender Expansive provide things such as students.

CoStudents (AGES) started to make an effort President of AGES a free gender-affirming to make things binders, padded bras, or anything else one may Zoe Wrubel said clothing program towards “It helps students express themselves welcoming”. need. this program is the end of last school year.

AGES is without outing themselves.” important because, AGES is a student-run club working hard “it helps students dedicated to making a safe to make every Zoe Wrubel, express themselves space for transgender and and all gender AGES Co-President without outing gender-nonconfor ming expansive students themselves.” students. feel welcomed Many students According to club and heard by don’t feel comfortable for those days. leaders, their goal is continuing to grow their asking their parents for to improve the school James, a co-president gender-affirming clothing gender-affirming clothing. of AGES, who wished to program. environment and raise Cost and accessibility are awareness around LGBTQ+ also big concerns. issues. The genderAGES understands affirming clothing these difficulties, program provides “It’s a special experience to have and thus, the free things such as binders, bras with clothes that fit you emotionally as well gender affirming clothing program padding, and much as physically.” was born. more.

According to “G e n d e r Eva Patrick, club leaders, AGES affirming clothing BHS Student also wants to is really important increase awareness to being perceived and information the way you want and having gender euphoria. up around campus. Then, about trans rights by presentations It’s a special experience to they will get emailed so making have clothes that fit you AGES understands what during the Universal Ninth emotionally as well as size and garment they need. Grade’s social living gender physically,” said Eva Patrick, After that, they order it. unit and help to refine the a junior in Academic It will either be delivered curriculum.

The club also plans to Choice (AC). “And having to students’ houses or to the gender-affirming care the school depending on provide information about Elliot Gerst, October Hertenstien, Zoe Wrubel, James, and Rory Dainelson promote AGES. LUCAS THOMPSON

BY EVA LEVENSON staff writer

that you need is important to achieving that for trans folks, especially.”

Gender-affirming clothing is clothing that helps create gender euphoria and comfort in one’s body.

The free gender-affirming clothing program has helped dozens of students express their gender identity through clothing. AGES has raised over $1,000 this year and plans to help even more students in the near future.

The way students receive this clothing is quite simple. First, students fill out the form using the QR code on the posters put

4 FRIDAY, SETEMBER 22, 2023 ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY PENN LYNCH

In a world increasingly dominated by technology, you would think an ethical approach to the issue would be at the top of our priority list. Unfortunately, due to the profit-first-ask-questions-later model that has proliferated throughout many Silicon Valley startups, ethics has been put on hold. But what makes technology ethical, and how does the failure to create such technology affect us?

With the rise of algorithms within the college financial aid and admissions process, the material consequences at the behest of those algorithms has become more and more apparent. The creator of the algorithm is given a near impossible task, the creation of a system that analyzes data in a humanlike way, without human bias. As put by Alex Engler of the Brookings Institute, “Higher education is already suffering from low graduation rates, high student debt, and stagnant inequality for racial minorities — crises that enrollment algorithms may be making worse.” Even when the task seems simple, a quantification of desired attributes in an application, the vast number of applications creates a tough situation for outliers in extenuating circumstances, often those which may hold the most promise.

In addition, many institutions have been criticized for their prioritization of revenue within the application process, believing the high importance placed upon zipcode perpetuates racial and class inequalities.

With automation at many levels inevitable, thinking about where our practices can be improved is a necessary step towards equitable systems. Many opponents of algorithms used by colleges in admissions and financial aid have pointed towards potential reform policies, first among them, transparency within the effects of algorithms on acceptance rate, in order to hold the institutions accountable for the consequences of their use of technology, purposeful or not. Other opponents advocate for stronger human mediation, double-checking the work of the algorithm at a now enhanced speed.

Although student backlash is significant, many colleges are holding strong. In response to claims of inequity, Madeleine Rhyneer, dean of enrollment management at the Education Advisory Board said, “We try to remind them that there’s more power in their hands than they often feel is the case, as they’re putting their whole life in front of anonymous admission committees.’’ Rhyneer and many others argue that the role algorithms play in determining financial aid and admissions is easily offset by the other aspects of strong applicants. A bad grade from the algorithm is claimed to just be a drop in the bucket when compared to other qualifications.

As proven by documents from a Markup study, over 500 universities use an algorithm which has strong racial biases to determine the academic risk of students. For example, Black women were 2.8 times more likely to be labeled as high risk in comparison to white women, and Black men were 3.9 times more likely when compared to white men. If our algorithms don’t reflect a better future, it is likely that future will never come about.

NEWS

BHS organizes the annual fall Club Fair

BY ARIANA YEROVAM staff writer

On Thursday, Sept.

7 2023, BHS students attended the annual Club Fair to learn about and join the diverse selection of student-run clubs at BHS. Clubs covered a variety of topics from STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), to surfing and animal welfare. Besides a brief interruption from a fire alarm, the Club Fair ran for periods one through three, during which teachers were encouraged to bring their students to attend the fair. The Club Fair offered club-leaders an opportunity to promote their club, and provided students with the opportunity to learn more about what BHS offers, and how they can get involved.

“I think it was successful because a lot of students were around, so we had like 300 people sign up,” said Christian Cuatlatl Tello, president of the Baking Club. “It was really cool that we got to teach that many people and just tell them a little bit about us and what we can offer to them.”

This aspect of community at the Club Fair was shared among club leaders and students alike. Ori Boozaglo, a junior in AC, attended the Club Fair to “see what

Club leaders set up stands to present to other students.

kinds of things people were passionate about promoting through their clubs.” She thought the fair executed this very well and was able to reflect the student body well.

“I feel that there was a really great representation of all different kinds of clubs and different people who are running the clubs,” said Boozaglo. “I think that every student could walk around and see something that I was like, ‘Oh, I can relate to that.’”

Boozaglo also pointed out how the Club Fair was a reflection of our school’s intentions as a community.

“I think that I took away sort of like a snapshot of what our school finds important,” said Boozaglo. “It gives you an idea of, ‘What are (the BHS community’s) goals as a school?’ (and) ‘What

do we feel that we want to represent?’”

Of the variety of clubs that participated, many explore topics and issues that our school and society struggle with. Some of these are branches of larger organizations, including Soccer Without Borders, which promotes community and education through soccer, and Green Dot, which focuses on education and prevention regarding sexual harm.

Green Dot ambassador, Kaelan Cadrain, used the Club Fair booth to both recruit members and educate about sexual harm prevention. Through the educational material, students could “gain a better understanding of ‘see something, say something,’” a principle that the club emphasizes, and later, “it ...

SUNNY BEVIS-LIPTON

can kind of just help them be less fearful of like, the situations that may take place on or off campus and know how to navigate them and get through them.”

Cadrain shared how the club fair prompted personal growth as well. “I feel like now I’m not as scared to let people know like, ‘Hey, this is the program I’m apart of, talk to me if you want to learn more about it,” said Cadrain.

With hundreds of participants, the 2023 Club Fair will have not only a direct contribution to clubs but can have a lasting impression on BHS culture as a whole.

The Club Fair provided extensive resources and opportunities for the entire BHS community, from which students can benefit socially and academically.

School board meets to discuss fiscal year

BY PENELOPE PURCHASE staff writer

On Wednesday, Sept.

13, the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) School Board convened in order to discuss the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year, along with where the district would be budgetwise. The meeting was held in the school district’s office building but left the option for participants to join the meeting virtually as well.

During this meeting, the board discussed BUSD’s spending and budget, while also leaving time for public comment.

Last year, the district met the three percent reserve required by the state of California and ended the year with unspent balances across a multitude of school programs and other projects. Despite the slight amount of overspending in certain pay grades, the district ended the year with a fund balance that exceeded their predictions by $700,000.

In fact, the district’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) for the 202223 school year showed a 20 percent increase in

balance, from the goal of $1 million all the way to $1.2 million. This was partly due to a myriad of LCAP programs that did not use the entirety of their budget, like the Site Coordinators for Family Engagement and the Advancement Via Individual Determination program.

Another, though smaller reason for the increase in balance was an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) error in the Extended School Year (ESY) budget.

Apparently, the ESY ADA had been overstated for several years, and portions of the budget weren’t being used. This mistake has now been fixed, and the “impact will be in the out years due to threeyear averaging,” according to a slideshow created by Pauline Follansbee, BUSD’s Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.

However, due to the fact that ESY represents less than 1.5 percent of the district’s ADA, this didn’t make a large difference in the LCAP. Another topic of discussion at last week’s board meeting was the Gann limit, as it was expected to be triggered last

ALESSIO MANUEL GILABERT-PAPAGNI

school year. The Gann limit was established in 1979 with the passage of Proposition 4, which forces both local and state governments to spend any revenue, above a certain amount, on K-12 education and colleges, or to return it to taxpayers. However, although it was expected to be triggered last year, it had no impact on 2022-23 funding.

The Board Policy’s Committed Reserve was also a subject of discussion, as it has to be reached every year that its conditions are met. The policy was approved in October of 2017 and the policy requests an annual commitment of an

additional 1 percent reserve.

Any year when the reserve is under 1 percent, the budget has a positive certification, and when the general fund balance is greater than the general fund expenditures, an additional reserve must be set up. The reserve is required to be equal to half of that year’s increase in the budget.

During last year’s 202223 school year, three out of three of the mandated conditions were reached and the additional reserve was set up to be ready for use. It will be committed at the first interim reporting period.

OPINION BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

OPINION EDITORS: YSABEL CHU & OHAD AVIRAN-FINKELSTEIN

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

5

OHADAVIRANFINKELSTEIN@STUDENTS.BERKELEY.NET

Lack of PSAT access at BHS deprives students of opportunities Harrison Blatt said the PSAT will not be offered this year because there were "challenges in recruiting staff to work the weekend."

In the future, BHS should resume offering the PSAT because it provides valuable practice for the SAT and easy, automatic access to the National Merit Scholarship application process.

Although many colleges in the U.S. are test blind or test-optional, a high

SAT score can still help students stand out. High SAT scores are always impressive to colleges and can be especially useful if a student's grades are lacking, as a high SAT score can demonstrate their academic abilities. When students take the PSAT, they gain valuable exposure to a real test environment and the standardized test format. Encouraging them to take the SAT and

The PSAT allows students to easily prep for the SAT.

ASHLEY DIAZ

BY JULIUS BRAUN staff writer

Berkeley High School will not be offering the Preliminary SAT this year.

The PSAT is a practice version of the SAT, usually taken by juniors, that allows students to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship as well as assess their abilities in preparation for the SAT. BHS Vice President

helping them earn a higher score. Wendy Morrison, a college counselor working in Berkeley, said, "The PSAT is an opportunity for kids who might not have the resources on how to navigate this whole college application world. If this test hadn't been presented to them as an option by their high school, they might not have considered trying it. But if it's conveniently offered, they might give it a shot, and then it could benefit them."

Another benefit of the PSAT is that it provides access to the National Merit Scholarship, which can be a huge boost for a student's college application and, depending on the college, can mean a significant amount of scholarship money. "It's a very nice distinction in terms of college admissions to be a national merit semifinalist or finalist. . . . It kind of heightens (the college's) awareness of you as an applicant," said Morrison.

Additionally, some colleges offer full rides to selected semi finalists and finalists, and other schools offer to pay half of tuition.

In 2024, the College Board will roll out a new digital version of the SAT. The PSAT would have allowed students to practice the new digital format. "I think it's unfortunate (the PSAT is not being offered) because I think it would have been a great practice test for the new digital SAT that will premiere officially in March of 2024," said Morrison. There are some resources online, such as Khan Academy's SAT Practice, that allows students to practice the digital version of the SAT for free. However, this still places an extra burden on students to find these resources and then practice on their own time.

There is also still a way for students to apply to the National Merit Scholarship without taking the PSAT. According to the BHS

Etree, students who could not take the PSAT due to an extenuating circumstance can write to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to ask about alternate ways of applying to the National Merit Scholarship. Although it may be possible to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship without taking the PSAT, it is definitely an added hassle for students.

They must reach out to the College Board, and they have no idea what the application will look like. Students might feel uncomfortable doing this, and it may prevent them from applying for the National Merit Scholarship.

By not offering the PSAT, BHS deprives students of an easy opportunity to practice for the SAT and denies them a straightforward way to apply for the National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT is incredibly beneficial to students; therefore, it is BHS's responsibility to offer it in the future.

Counselor bonds aid students CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

year," Pfeifer said. "I had a very good relationship with her because I talked to her a lot. She was always very responsive and helped a lot with the college process and choosing classes," Pfiefer added.

With almost 6,000 postsecondary colleges in the United States, seeking guidance from a school counselor is vital to finding the right institutions.

Building a solid relationship with one’s counselor helps them understand your passions, skills, and hopes.

With this understanding, counselors can provide necessary help finding colleges, facilitating the college process, and writing an excellent letter of recommendation.

If a student is not interested in college, there are also many options available to them after high school, and it can be very overwhelming to navigate them alone. Luckily, with the help of counselors, students don't have to. If a counselor has a good understanding of a student, they can tailor their advice to the student’s personal path.

A strong relationship with a school counselor can also be a very beneficial resource for students' mental health. Counselors can help students cultivate good academic habits as well as good mental health habits. Counselors also act as connectors between students and the school. They can help students advocate for accommodations, and answer any questions about

ASHA TOROK

school students might have.

Both of these things are easier when students and counselors have a strong relationship.

When Ms. Offermann retired, Pfeifer and her fellow counselees were left in a tricky situation: their counselor leaving right before senior year. "I was definitely upset and (saddened) because I had a really good relationship with Ms. Offermann," Pfeifer said. A certain level of fear soon followed the frustration and sadness.

Pfeifer had to build a relationship with a new, crucial figure for her college prospects in just a few months. "Senior year is when counselors start to play a big role, and I was scared when she left because I was back to square one," Pfeifer said. The emotions felt after counselors depart are yet another testament to the importance of students' relationship with them.

Having excellent counselors at BHS is a privilege, and students should take full advantage of it by building strong relationships with them."

The best part about having a good relationship (with my counselor) is simply having an adult I'm comfortable with and that I can go to with anything I need," Pfeifer said.

6 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 EDITORIAL

Academic pressure is deeply harmful to sick students If one looks around Berkeley High School, it’s easy to see that students are coming to school while ill. In most classrooms, you’ll hear at least a few coughs and sneezes, student voices scratchy with the beginnings of a cold or flu. Still, students sit in closely arranged desks and walk the crowded hallways. They work and study for long hours instead of resting and recovering. In a culture that emphasizes academic achievement over health, students can experience significant pressure to attend school while ill. However, attending school while sick poses a physical risk to the community and oneself, and heightens the emotional risk for burnout. As a community, we must deconstruct the harmful mentality that academic success must always come before public and personal health.

Studies have illuminated the relationship between COVID-19 and consequences for at-risk groups. As of

OPINION

2021, 8.8 percent of Californians were diagnosed with asthma, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In moderate or severe cases, the condition leads to a significantly increased risk of hospitalization, being placed on a ventilator, or requiring intensive care if the person contracts COVID-19. Influenza A and B are also more likely to cause complications for various at-risk groups. This includes groups such as immunocompromised people, people with metabolic and blood disorders, and people with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. While an overachieving culture pushes for students to attend school and not fall behind, spreading illness can have serious consequences for people in at-risk groups.

The pressure of coming to school while sick isn’t just harmful to one's physical health. It can be stressful and emotionally draining to go through the day while feeling ill. Peers of sick students may feel stress from potentially getting sick themselves.

The fear of falling behind in school is not unfounded.

With multiple AP classes and many extracurriculars, a few missed days can translate to an overwhelming workload and many hours of catching up. Missing a lecture can translate to a missed point on a test. Teachers only have so much power when it comes to extra accommodations for sick students due to busy schedules and high student-to-teacher ratios. But when students show up to school despite a severe

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illness, they put others at risk, and slow their own recovery by not allowing rest.

Some teachers are certainly supporting students in catching up. Many offer office hours or extensions on late work. Others excuse certain assignments altogether and encourage the student to focus on current classwork.

However, some provide inadequate support, and all teachers must be flexible and accommodating to students because compounded schoolwork can become impossible to fit into allotted days. The lack of flexibility and accommodation encourages students to remain in school when ill.

Teachers also experience pressure to come to school when mildly to moderately ill. They risk not being paid for the days they are absent if they exceed their 11 sick days, even if they have the flu or COVID-19.

The blame for spreading illness shouldn’t be entirely on sick students. Sometimes, students feel symptomatic but are still able to function in school, even if it means infecting others. Our school’s culture and society as a whole puts too much pressure and value on academic achievement, regardless of whether it jeopardizes the well-being of students.

Missing a few days of school will likely have a benign impact in the long run, and forcing students to come to school when ill, without a chance at recovery, is not a productive solution. It just leads to a sick and stressed out student body.

Young people's voices must be better represented in politics

BY SABINE ROSEN staff writer

It's hard for students to learn about critical national decisions being made while simultaneously knowing that youths' voices are not considered. The average age of elected officials is increasing, and it is affecting the representation of the younger generation.

In the United States, a person must be at least 25 years old to be elected to the House of Representatives and 30 years old to be eligible for the Senate.

This law allows some representation of younger voices, but unfortunately, young people are still much less likely to be elected. In the U.S. Senate, there are only two individuals under the age of 40. The Senate's job is to enact laws and be the people's voice. However, several Senate members are older than 80. People who

are 80 years old are not the average voice of the people, and their voices should not carry such a heavy weight.

Some people may say that the age of politicians is not an issue. They believe the older generation has been around longer and, therefore, knows more about this country and life than the rest of us. While some of this might be true, it is equally, if not more important, to have a diverse range of perspectives.

New ideas on the United States’ issues are vital, and people of all generations have opinions to offer. It is in the country's best interests to represent the largest number of people possible to produce policies that serve the majority of people. Younger people are the ones who are going to live with the consequences or benefits of the decisions politicians are making right now, so they must be heard.

This might not

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feel important to the average person, but it must be recognized how representation affects issues people care about. For example, younger people have proven over and over again that they care about climate change. A study in The Lancet found that 70 percent of people aged 16-25 are extremely worried or very worried about the climate, and that thousands of students worldwide have protested for the government to take action to prevent climate change. Therefore, the question must be asked: Why hasn't the government taken serious action against climate change yet? Is it because they know they won't be around when the brunt of climate change hits the world? If there were more young people in Congress, it’s likely climate change would be treated like the monumental threat that it is.

At Berkeley High School, there are elected officials as well. Presidents are elected for each grade and there are many other leadership opportunities. BHS leaves these spots open for all students willing to run, and people in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade are brought together to form the BHS leadership team. The average age of the team represents BHS’s population, allowing all students to feel heard and validated. If every position were only given to seniors, the voices of all students would not be represented.

If BHS can represent all ages equitably, there is no reason that the U.S. government cannot. More young people must be elected into office now to ensure youth voices are fully represented.

OPINION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

7

Freshman leadership lottery encourages diversity and equity

BY AVHA MEISELS staff writer

Every year, Berkeley High School holds a lottery to determine the upcoming year’s freshman leadership team. Any ninth grader is able to enter the lottery and it is completely random in order to give everybody a fair shot. This allows students who have less experience in leadership or who otherwise would have been too scared to campaign an opportunity to get involved with the school. BHS can then represent people of all races, genders, and be overall more inclusive, which is vital to forming a school that benefits every student. In order to create an environment where every student feels seen and supported, all students must feel able to contribute and lead.

One problematic part of school leadership AD COMPOSED BY ZOE FUNG

elections is the aspect of popularity.

Sometimes, students vote based solely on who they are friends with or who is most wellknown. These students aren’t necessarily always the best or most qualified option, but there is no way for faculty to distinguish if a student truly earned all their votes. Having a random lottery eliminates this problem for freshmen in leadership. Since it is their first year at the school, students have not had a chance to learn that much about which freshman would make good leaders, which is why a random lottery is a great solution.

Freshmen come from many different middle schools, including three public ones just in Berkeley. Every middle school has a different approach to leadership, so some students did not have the same opportunities as others to gain experience. These

students now have a fair shot to get involved. They can learn all they need to know in order to be prepared for running for leadership in the future.

If there hadn’t been a random lottery, these students would have been stuck in a situation where they were interested in leadership, but had no way to learn how to campaign and win votes.

While some may say that the random lottery gives jobs to students who have not earned them, this is not necessarily true. Though it may give jobs to students with less experience, this is only the case for one year. Every other year at BHS, leadership is chosen through votes or interviews.

That gives students plenty of chances to win their spot in leadership based on their abilities.

Even if the freshman leadership was chosen through votes, the

students who win won’t necessarily be the ones who “deserve” it the most.

Every student should have at least one fair opportunity to get involved with BHS leadership before it starts getting selected through votes. Having a random lottery in the first year of high school levels the

playing field for future years of leadership.

Having a randomized lottery promotes inclusivity and allows all students an equal opportunity to help BHS be the best it can be.

By leveling the playing field freshman year, all students have an even chance at future BHS

JAY TRAUNER

leadership elections. BHS should strive to create a diverse leadership team that anyone can be a part of, no matter their social status or prior experience.

In order to achieve this, having a lottery for the freshman class’ leadership team is a complete and absolute necessity for all future elections.

The Buzz: The Jacket’s PODCAST THE BUZZ PUBLISHES ON A BIWEEKLY BASIS, ALONGSIDE EACH ISSUE OF THE JACKET. FEATURING IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS AND INTERVIEWS ABOUT TOPICS THAT MATTER TO OUR COMMUNITY, WE EXPLORE STORIES THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF AUDIO JOURNALISM.

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OPINION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

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Juvenile violence harms communities, Berkeley High School must intervene

BY AVA QUANDT staff writer

On Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, hundreds of kids broke out into fights near Emeryville’s AMC theater. It was the day of AMC’s four dollar movie ticket sale, and the streets were flooded with up to four hundred kids, who then broke out into violence. According to ABC7 News, one shot was fired and one juvenile was stabbed.

This is just one example of the violence that can come from issues within the juvenile justice system that are harmful to the development of teens. Instead, a more restorative approach should be taken.

According to data from the Board of State and Community Corrections, in March of 2020, there were reports of 3,259 youth in county facilities, daily. “What we’re seeing is that especially in disadvantaged communities and communities of color — Latino and African American communities — youth are not treated as developing young people, but rather criminalized and punished,” explained Meredith Desautels, a directing attorney at the Youth Law Center.

Desautels specializes in the reformation of the juvenile justice system. She highlights the most prevalent issue in the juvenile justice system, one that draws parallels to the rest of the judicial system, that, “from the moment of arrest to incarceration of juvenile hall, to the sentences in the cases, young people of color are treated more harshly,” according to Desautels.

This may come as no surprise. Since the War on Drugs started in 1971, mass incarceration continues to be a very concerning issue, which is exemplified throughout the juvenile justice system.

However, what makes the flaws in the juvenile justice system specifically concerning is the fact that Berkeley High School students and the Berkeley community are directly involved.

While students are going through their high school years, their brain is going through crucial development.

It is scientifically proven that during this development, teens are more prone to making mistakes, in which they could find themselves within a correctional facility.

“Over the past few decades, it’s become very clear that adolescence is a time of significant brain development.

Specifically, it's the prefrontal cortex in the brain that’s still developing throughout adolescence. The parts of the brain that are still developing are the types of problem-solving skills, planning, impulse control, and ability to consider future consequences, the kinds of things executive “Youth are not treated as functioning that are important to be able to function as an adult,” stated Desautels, developing young people, but explaining trends she has found rather criminalized and punished.” throughout her time working with youth.

Treating teens and Meredith Desautels adults in the same form of Directing Attorney at Youth Law punishment for mistakes is very unfair, to say the least.

Center However, some argue that it would be equally incorrect to let teens ELLIOT SCHRAG and young adults

off the hook, as this sets them up for failure and could lead to the repetition of the same mistakes when they are adults. How does a community help youth in need of support? Obviously, there is a larger problem at hand that involves the entire juvenile system itself, however, there are some ways BHS could help support its students in an elevated manner.

According to the West Ed Justice and Prevention Research Center, studies have shown that heavy reliance on exclusionary disciplinary actions such as expulsion and suspension, “increase students’ likelihood of dropping out of school and becoming involved in the criminal justice system.” Luckily, BHS has implemented some forms of restorative justice, but there's still more to be done.

It is proven that the traditional forms of punishment practiced in the sentencing of teens are actually not beneficial to their growth and prevention of violence in the future. There are a few things that need to change. First and foremost, to prevent the acts of violence that could occur, it’s important that students and teens have at least one space where they feel they can belong and express themselves. BHS provides many options for students in a variety of areas that different students could have an interest in.

Furthermore, BHS could provide the crucial presence of an adult who truly cares and is concerned with each individual. It is really important that teens feel they have a positive connection with someone like a mentor, coach, or teacher. If a student is lacking the attention of a family member, this could be a great way for BHS to give beneficial support to the student.

This connection is not one that is found in the judicial system. Desautels gives the example of probation officers by saying “their role is really punishment and control. Instead of a probation officer, what young people really need is a positive adult figure in their life.”

This support can look a few different ways.

First, it's important that adult figures check in with students and make sure they are receiving some of the most basic needs; food, shelter, and clothing. Desautels highlights that “of course, a high school could not meet all of those needs, but what’s great about high school is that the teachers can get to know the students so well, they might be able to identify when those needs aren’t being met and try to work with organizations or city departments to make sure they’re able to access the resources that they need.”

However, support doesn’t always have to come from one individual. Support groups are a great way for students to really tell their story and feel heard.

If BHS implemented these methods, we could build a stronger community and lower the amount of students involved with the justice system. BHS could set an example to other schools and change the juvenile justice system norms. This could create a better future for us all. Next time you see or experience a situation like the one at AMC, challenge yourself by looking at each person involved, as a whole, and not defining them by a single mistake.

FEATURES BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

9

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Fall weather brings comfort to replace students' summer fun brings. The Bay Area is known for not having vast seasonal changes, but there is definitely a noticeable shift in nature and the The start of the 2023 to cooler climate as autumn 2024 school year comes approaches. with an adjustment period; “I like going on little hikes not just for new classes, in Tilden. A lot of the trees classmates, and teachers, but don’t change color, but some also a seasonal change from of the trees do, so I feel like summer to fall. It may be going to see the trees that difficult to leave the sun and do change color is always the memories from summer a cute little activity,” said break behind, but autumn Stoller. The cold weather brings a promise of new also has them excited for beginnings, opportunities “... hanging out and cooking to meet new people, and an dinner (with friends), as assortment of old and new opposed to going on a activities. trip or a big excursion. I On top of giving students kind of appreciate a well-deserved (the former) more break, summer often provides “I really enjoy the fall, and I like the because then I get to spend more quality various comforts. energy it has.” time with them.”

Rigzin Gyaltsen, The feel of a freshman, said, Ali Forbush, fall is distinct and “Summer gives gives students an more opportunities BHS sophomore opportunity to reset to do things outside their balance. Ali of your house.” Day trips to the beach, enjoying but it’s a good option to have Forbush, a sophomore in BIHS said, “I really enjoy the warm weather, and available.

Senior Arunima Stoller the fall and I like the energy having a flexible schedule are just a few of the luxuries is excited for fall, and it has. As fall comes in, of the summertime shared the “baking … sweaters everybody kind of starts

by Berkeley High School … (and) drinks” that it to settle into school and

BY CLARA TJEN staff writer

students.

“The sun is really nice when you just feel it on your skin. I feel warm and like I could just go to the beach,” said Nova Duchateau, a BHS junior. Duchateau also added that he’ll miss being able to wake up in the morning to sunlight peeking through his window.

In addition, he feels that it’s nice to be able to have the choice of simplicity while choosing outfits in the summertime. “Being able to go outside with a t-shirt or a tank top and shorts … is nice.” He continued that it may not look fashionable,

GWEN WEBER-STOVER

just the energy feels really positive.”

Students get to know their daily routes to classes, and they find their comfortable balance between homework and extracurriculars, as day to day routines begin.

Stoller felt similarly, sharing, “I feel like for me, fall is more of a vibe than

a weather … I feel like everyone kind of slows down after summer and it's a lot more of a chiller climate.”

Layering clothing is a year round tendency for those worried about temperature changes, but when fall comes around, people can show off their sweatshirts

and sweaters all day long.

“I would confidently say I prefer cold weather. I love wearing sweatshirts. I love just being able to feel comfortable,” said Forbush.

The start of fall marks anticipation for the coming season and wistfulness for what is past, but regardless, the seasons will turn again.

Difficult classes: A decision students must make for themselves

BY VIOLET MILLER-BRADY staff writer

There are many AP, IB, and other advanced courses available at Berkeley High School, but how many students really want to be taking these classes? With increasingly competitive college admissions and pressure from peers, it's hard to say.

“If everyone else is signing up for a club, then maybe they feel the pressure to do the same thing,” said

Jesse Pabico, an AP Physics teacher. He used this example of people signing up for clubs to explain why students feel inclined to enroll in classes that they won’t end up utilizing after high school. Peer pressure, even if it isn’t overt, can lead students to make decisions that they may regret.

Pabico’s class happens to be very rigorous and he believes that most kids who take it are truly interested in the subject. “There's a certain level of math that you have to hit and if you

don't enjoy math, then you're probably not going to enjoy a math based science course,” said Pabico. He mentioned that you need to be able to keep up in class, and if you fall behind it is very difficult to catch up again.

Another reason that students would choose to take a class like AP Physics is to stand out on college applications. The minimum requirement to graduate from California high schools and to apply to UC schools is two years of

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science, however admissions more captivating class. to getting credit boosts and are very competitive, so Sam Matsumoto is an many students don’t realize students often choose to Advanced Photography and that BCC and other classes take more than this. “And BRIDGE teacher. They had are transferable to their even though you can get a different viewpoint than transcript. away with taking three years Robinson-McGee, saying Another main reason that of science and applying to a that BHS has more AP students take challenging place like Yale or Princeton, electives compared to the classes that don’t relate to most applicants what they want to do all throughout in the future is due the nation usually “It's hard for people to self motivate to parental pressure. take four years of in a class that they're not interested in “Students are more science or they'll engaged and want to taking.” try to squeeze do better if they're in a fifth year of in classes they’re Olive Robinson-McGee, science.

They'll interested in and always go above they want to take; BHS junior the minimum,” said (it’s) the psychology Pabico. of ‘I'm choosing Junior Olive Robinson- school they used to work at to do something versus McGee took AP Chemistry and their own high school. someone telling me I have to with Sam Rozen last year They did, however, agree do something,’” Matsumoto and is currently taking that there is a benefit to stated.

AP Biology with Shannon taking challenging classes.

They also talked about Mueller. The reason she “I think I gained a lot just how students who come took these classes was to by taking those courses from affluent backgrounds challenge herself, something and the rigor of it really, I and have the means to she felt standard classes do think it helped prepare get outside support are wouldn’t do. Robinson- me for college and helped more often seen in AP and McGee stated that she wishes me be a better thinker,” said other high level classes, there were more challenging Matsumoto. oftentimes because those classes that were of greater As both a Bridge and are the students whose interest to her. “It's hard photography teacher, parents want them to take for people to self motivate Matsumoto has seen those classes. in a class that they're not students struggle with However, there are still interested in taking,” she having too many AP classes benefits in classes students said.

For Robinson- on their plate. They added feel they might not use.

McGee, chemistry was hard that they don’t think taking “There's a lot of value to focus on at times. She five or six AP classes is because you might not know also brought up her desire “worth it” for most students. ... (that) you're interested ... for AP electives available to They also talked about (you) might not be exposed students so that they could how AP classes are often to that kind of environment,” get AP credit while taking a advertised as the only route said Matsumoto.

10

FEATURES

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Students who graduate early: What are they planning to do?

Kubo. “I was stressing over classes and crying. And I was just thinking, why am I putting myself through In order to graduate all of this work and stress high school, students must when (I already) know what complete a certain number I want to do?” of required classes such Graduating early was as four years of English, something that Kubo found three years of Math and very rewarding, and a ticket four semesters of physical for her to pursue business. education. The average However, from Kubo’s student attends school experience, not all colleges for four years in order to viewed her early graduation graduate, yet some students as a good thing. finish their requirements “For a lot of UC’s, I had earlier, and can then leave. a GPA that was higher than To graduate early, students what they wanted for their often end up taking classes average, (yet) I didn’t get outside of school or during in. A lot of the academic the summer on top of their counselors say (it’s) regular school work. probably because Graduating high I’m graduating a year school earlier is done “Why am I putting myself through early,” said Kubo. for many different all of this work and stress when (I Graduating as reasons.

Barbra a junior also meant already) know what I want to do?”

Mellion, a District her teachers didn’t Registrar at Berkeley give designated Theresa Kubo, High School said time for her college it allows students to applications, unlike Class of 2023 have more flexibility some teachers in their educational do during senior journey. “They may wish “I’ve wanted to do year. This meant regular to take a gap year for travel business my whole life, homework for her classes, or personal development and at BHS there’s no studying, taking extra before continuing their business classes. There’s an classes, and applying to formal education,” said economics class, and I really different colleges were all on Mellion. thrived there … but it was Kubos’ to-do list at once.

Yet not all reasons for only for one semester,” said Talking to advisors and

BY AÉLIA GYGER staff writer

leaving school early are positive.

“In some cases, students may face bullying, health issues, or social anxieties.

Graduating early can be a way to transition to a more comfortable or suitable learning environment,” said Mellion.

Theresa Kubo, a freshman at Northeastern University, graduated from BHS at the end of her junior year in 2023. By having taken all the required classes on her own time, Kubo was able to graduate after three years of high school, and was able to move on to classes that she had more interest in.

counselors allowed Kubo to graduate early. “Ms. Offerman was super helpful,” said Kubo, referring to Molly Offerman, a counselor at BHS who retired last year.

Alastair Kudsk, a senior in AHA, who plans on graduating a semester early from BHS, found a lack of support by the school, which motivated them to leave school early.

“The school needs to work for us, instead of us working for the school … I have ADHD. It’s a learning disability, it affects my ability to focus and meet deadlines, and school is not really meant for people who

have learning differences,” said Kudsk. They jumped on the opportunity to change learning environments.

“In my experience, the school has been extremely difficult for me to keep up with and when I found out that I qualified for early graduation, I took it immediately,” they said Kudsk plans to get a job, take a couple of online college classes and then transfer to a California State University.

James Winer-Fashing, a senior in AC, also did not feel enough support from school, which prompted him to graduate early. After

JO PURCELL

graduating, Winer-Fashing is going to move to Boston.

Graduating early was made possible by WinerFashing taking two English classes during his junior year, and taking a statistics course at Berkeley City College over the summer.

Now, starting his final semester, he’s taking both government and economics classes at the same time.

He is doing this in order to finish getting all of his required credits in order to graduate early.

“I think that (life) will get better after I graduate,” said Winer-Fashing. “You can make it out early.”

Aiming to engage, new teachers bring new visions to their classes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

between teaching in Berkeley compared to Colombia.

“Berkeley is really rich in different cultures, different backgrounds, compared to Colombia … (where) we didn’t have as … (many) resources,” said Soto.

Despite the difficulty of transitioning to a new school, there is a lot for the new teachers to look forward to at the beginning of the new year.

Figueroa looks forward to the many performances that his jazz students are working hard to prepare for. “Here at Berkeley specifically, we do a lot of really cool trips and concerts. We get to play at Yoshi’s Jazz Club ... We also are doing a Cuba tour this year,” said Figueroa.

Soto’s favorite thing about teaching is building connections with her students. “I have 150 students and connections to explore, so we have something in common for sure. I’m going to try to make that connection and talk to (my students),” said Soto.

Valencia looks forward to engaging students in the material of his class. “(I look forward to) getting more into the nitty gritty of different topics, (and) get kids interested in these

topics,” said Valencia.

It’s easy to forget that Berkeley High School teachers are also starting a new year, getting used to a new schedule, and working hard to prepare just like students are. Some teachers, like Soto, Valencia, and Figueroa, are just beginning their journey at BHS. Amidst all the chaos of the beginning of the year, Figueroa hopes that his students enjoy learning and performing jazz enough to continue playing outside of his class. “I hope that after I teach students that they have an appreciation for the music … There’s not that many young people listening to (jazz), but I hope to keep it alive,” said Figueroa.

Soto uses daily memes and engaging lessons to make sure that students have fun in her class. “I would love ... for them to feel free to come to me and … to

have fun in my class. That’s basically one of the things – to make fun, be fun,” said Soto.

Valencia hopes that his students not only enjoy history as a subject, but also find empowerment to become involved citizens.

“While there are all these, you know, terrible things going on … you have a way to have your voice heard within it,” said Valencia.

New teachers have to quickly learn new protocols while also guiding their students through difficult course material and making their lessons engaging and informative.

Although it can be difficult to transition, BHS’s new teachers are met with a wonderful community of teachers and staff, students who are accepting and ready to learn, and a wide variety of opportunities for them to explore.

Justin Valencia, a new BHS history teacher, stands at his desk.

Angie Soto, a new Spanish teacher, hopes to make classes enjoyable for her students.

Roberto Figueroa co-leads the jazz program.

PHOTOS BY ALEX TRIPCEVICH

FEATURES

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

11

After a year of planning, the BHS Wellness Center finally opens Doreen Bracamontes last year. could explore it with a team special education department, Center at BHS, located in “I hope that students find D ur ing her f irst fe w of people.” someone from the district room H-104, is set to have a space in which they can months, Bracamontes looked With that, he set the stage office, as well as a few classified a soft opening at the end of take a break to recharge when at the existing support systems for the development of a individuals. The team spent a October. There will also be a they need to, learn about and After returning to in- at BHS. “What I discovered Wellness Center at BHS. lot of time researching wellness grand opening that is currently connect with support, and person learning in 2021, was that Berkeley c e n t e r s a t o t h e r scheduled for November, to connect with other students Berkeley High School saw a High was really ready schools and chose to celebrate the hard work and and staff members,” said “As a young person, dealing with spike in conflicts, as students to coordinate some of include resources like dedication of all those who Krow-Boniske. returned from isolation and the individual efforts emotions and issues yourself is really consent education and have worked on making the Bracamontes adds that she draining.” re-learned how to interact that were going on services like mental Wellness Center a reality. “As hopes that the Wellness Center with peers and balance their and designate some health counseling, ... (the Wellness Center) opens, is a place that students can go personal and academic lives. staff members to do that best fit with BHS’s students are going to tell us to find new information. She Emma Claus, Seeing the community’s need, that work,” she said. needs. more about what’s working also says that it’s important to BHS senior Juan Raygoza, principal at the “I had to identify “I know the school or what they wish was there note that students don’t have to time, received permission what funding could community is well or what they wish was offered interact or talk to other people. from Berkeley Unified School be available in order to launch Bracamontes then put aware, there were just some and we’ll build that.” said Students will also be given District to create a new a wellness center and what together a group of people outright tragedies. We’ve Bracamontes. the option of taking a five to administrative position for would it really take. And I ran r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e experienced the loss of students Melissa Virrueta will be the 15 minute break during class a Vice Principal of School the idea by Principal Raygoza, greater BHS community. for a variety of reasons,” said Mental Health and Wellbeing to recharge in any way that is Climate and Student Wellness. told him all of the things I had This included counselors, Bracamontes.

Coordinator, which includes helpful to them. This duration That position was filled by discovered and asked him if I students, administrators, the A parent volunteer offered managing the daily operations was decided upon using a to visit wellness centers to of the wellness center and Google Form survey where give feedback on ways to help expanding programming, students stated how long their improve the plan using their while Rachel Krow-Boniske breaks typically lasted. own experience with losing will be the lead Mental Health “What we know by the a child.

Counselor. Stacy Shoals and research we’ve done ... is “ W i t h o u t that more students somebody designated access support “Students are going to tell us more services starting with to be able to take t h at w o r k ( g r i e f their schools,” said about what’s working ... or what counseling) up and they wish was offered and we’ll build Bracamontes. then look at how Emma Claus, a that.” w e c o ord i n at e it senior in Academic and provide those Choice, echoed the Doreen Bracamontes, supports with all of idea. “As a young our wonderful staff Vice Principal of School Climate and p e r s o n , d e a l i n g like our counseling with emotions and Student Wellness team, it’s work that issues yourself is wouldn’t have gotten r e a l l y d r a i n i n g ,” done without our existing Yolanda Clark-Brown will said Claus, adding that, “It’s staff members really working be the Restorative Practices really important that there are nonstop,” said Bracamontes.

Coordinators, in charge of resources at school ... people So, after a year of planning community building and at school who are willing to LILA HALLWARD The Wellness Center staff, Melissa Virrueta, Rachel Krow-Boniske, Stacy Shoals, Yolanda and coordinating, the Wellness addressing harm. listen.”

Clark-Brown, and Doreen Bracamontes show off the new BHS motto.

BY SHANZA SYED staff writer

Enthusiasm is key: Incoming club leaders foster community spending almost every lunch and even missing some classes to help plan out our trip to Kansas City,” said Worku. She By first period on described how planning each September 7, dozens of tables meeting, as well as switching with posters and free candy up agendas from presentations were set out on Berkeley High to guest speakers, and to trips School’s campus green as for national conventions is students began pouring out a lot of work and requires a of the buildings. The hefty amount of time school’s annual Club management. “But Fair is an eye opening it was all worth it in “It’s really cool to see how experience to the the end because we all quickly people improve and gain had a lot of fun,” said multitude of clubs that BHS has to offer. The Worku. confidence.”

Club Fair additionally Through the serves as an important hardships and Eloise Biddle-Gottesman, way for clubs to gain technical workloads BHS Speech and Debate Team publicity. of running a club, the Novice Captain T h i s ye ar, B H S passion of the leader junior Tyen Zhu set is crucial. “I feel like up a booth for the if you’re kind of only school’s returning Interact towards creating a welcoming doing it for college, it’s kind Club, a group that is part of and safe space where students of like ‘meh,’” said Taylor an international, community of various Latinx backgrounds Johnson, co-president of the service-oriented organization can strengthen bonds through school’s Korean Culture Club. known as Rotary International. shared aspects of each others’ “You’re reflecting that energy After participating in a Rotary cultures. “I feel like this onto other people … and also International leadership club will make the Latinx the message of your club won’t program over the summer, community here at Berkeley be spread as much as you may Zhu began to question why High bigger and come together want it to be because you’re not BHS didn’t have an Interact as a community,” said Nieto. super engaged.”

Club.

“And just be more out there, In addition to enthusiasm, “I (thought), why not do more events, and educate learning to build a club using just start one?” said Zhu. He people on our heritage.” member input is effective for believes that bringing the Phoeben Worku, Berkeley keeping the club’s content Interact Club back to BHS High’s National Society for engaging. “The ability to see after a year of absence would Black Engineers president, things from a more bird’s not only be a great opportunity pointed out some of the eye perspective and not just to help others, but would also challenges of leading a club. your own and the ability to push him, as the club’s leader, “I remember last year, I was be decisive, I think is very

BY CARINA THOMAS staff writer

to commit to giving back to his community.

Similarly, Isabel Nieto, a senior at BHS, chose to step up and become co-president of Latines Unidos as a means to strengthen bonds between community individuals. Nieto describes her goal with leading Latines Unidos as working

important,” stated Echo Rettstatt, co-president of the Story and Songwriting Club.

Rettstatt works alongside Nora Sachdeva, the club’s other copresident and founder. The two have utilized Discord servers and Google Forms to communicate with members and understand what they want to see happen in their club.

Leading a club is not only an opportunity for members to grow and learn as individuals, but also allows club leaders to explore their own passions Eloise Biddle-Gottesman

expresses her love for teaching by serving as a novice captain of the Berkeley High School Speech and Debate Team.

In the previous year, BiddleGottesman was a novice on the team herself, and believes that being part of the supportive debate team majorly improved her public speaking skills. By taking on a leadership role in the club, this passionate debater can see herself reflected in this year’s novices. “It’s really cool to see how quickly people improve and gain confidence,” said Biddle-Gottesman.

As a sophomore, Claire Freytag, the president of The Berkeley Girls All Blues Club Rugby Team, agrees that taking on a leadership role aligns with her passion for rugby and allows her to further spread love for the sport. “I’ve never done this before,” said Freytag.

She explained how she is feeling a little nervous about the new leadership position.

However, she continues to remain optimisic and ready for the challenge that comes with the new role.

“We’ll see how it goes!” said Freytag.

ALEX MORGAN

12

ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS: KAIYA JORDAN & SIMON POLICY

KAIYAJORDAN@STUDENTS.BERKELEY.NET

Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour inspires BHS staff and students

BY AMAR WALKER staff writer

“She’s an artist that other artists look up to,” said Lola Djavaherian, Berkeley High School senior.

Everyone knows her name: Beyoncé. On August 30, the Beyoncé Renaissance Tour came to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, with the first track of the night being “Dangerously In Love.” She performed this beloved song to a sold out stadium, with cheers coming from 50 thousand fans of all ages.

Beyoncé, a major female figure and pop star, has been releasing many of the

greatest hits for decades, The two of them have been matter what generation For Djavaherian, she has With that said, Beyoncé’s and the Renaissance Tour fans of Beyoncé ever since you’re in. She’s inspired a lot enjoyed Beyoncé’s music overall influence has not since a very young age. of different generations.” continues to solidify her her first albums came out. been the same her entire “She’s a very popular career.

“My mom, when she The purpose of this multigenerational fanbase. tour was to artist, so I feel like I’ve Over time, “She’s changing with the perform her always known her music, times in a good way. In the B e y o n c é’s influence has “Everyone knows her, no matter what latest album, especially her earlier stuff,” 90s, you couldn’t be super shifted to politically outspoken,” said generation you’re in. She’s inspired a lot “Renaissance,” Djavaherian said.

Djavaherian described Villágran. that came include people of different generations.” out in 2022. her experience at the concert of all ages and As Beyoncé gained Renaissance, as “life changing.” It had a attention, her platform demographics, Anisha Pinto, m e a n i n g similar effect on many fans, expanded, and now she uses due to the “rebirth,” was some even leaving the show it to raise awareness towards growth of BHS sophomore a revival of with tears of admiration. admiration, other issues.

“The crowd was much her music music being “She supports a lot of passed down from was in her twenties or with new styles and sounds more hyped when she things, like rights for queer played her older songs. people and women’s rights,” something, she (listened) incorporated into it. generation to generation.

“She’s evolving, and Cause that’s what everyone said Pinto. Beyoncé has “She’s always been a to Beyoncé. And she passed really influential person,” down her love for Beyoncé going back to the roots of knows. Like, even if you’re always been a feminist, and BHS sophomore Anisha to me because I grew up Black music, house, dance, not a huge fan, you know that’s shown in early songs, Pinto said. Pinto attended listening to it,” Pinto said. and ballroom, and being Beyoncé’s old songs,” said like “Independent Woman” the concert with her mom. “Everyone knows her, no like, ‘I want the world to Pinto. and “Run the World.”

Current high schoolers experience this.’ She makes Beyoncé continues to it more mainstream,” said grew up listening to her demonstrate her support Rebecca Villágran, Berkeley oldest albums, and for of many progressive International High School many, it’s what hits home movements, which makes a history and Latinx history the most. With Beyonce’s big impact, especially when music comes nostalgia, it’s coming from a huge pop teacher.

Vi l l á g r a n culture figure. has been a fan “Beyonce is art, of Beyoncé and what she’s “Beyonce is art, and what she’s contributed since the contributed to culture is even bigger than her.”

D e s t i n y ’s to culture is Child era. even bigger After Beyoncé than her,” Rebecca Villagrán, became her Villagrán said.

BHS History and Latinx History teacher own star, “That’s why it V i l l á g r a n ’s resonates with admiration of so many people especially for individuals all over the world.” her grew.

While the album who have been listening to Beyoncé may be getting “Renaissance” was a hit, her their entire life. older, but it’s very clear that “Some artists are her legacy has only just that wasn’t the only reason timeless, ” Villágran said. her fans came to the show. begun.

IRIS LE LIBOUX

‘Bottoms’: A basic plot paired with campy, feel-good comedy movie’s trailers might imply, the majority of the film’s jokes rely on the deep awkwardness of the club’s “Bottoms” was the mostinteractions, particularly watched film on Letterboxd, those about its leaders’ the social media website fake stories of their time in for film nerds, on its first juvie. week of wide release. It’s It’s the kind of humor been marked as “watched” that is not directly by over 100k users, far funny, but where a laugh more than other summer might escape like an movies like “Gran Turismo” uncomfortable whisper. The and “Blue Beetle.” But jokes are generally on the it has thus far made a edge between low-hanging mediocre nine million at and effective and the much the box office against an more subversive moments $11 million budget which of dramatic irony. does not count T h e marketing. movie uses It’s not too its R-rating to It’s the kind of humor that is not directly hard to see its full extent. funny, but where a laugh might escape through this Violence is like an uncomfortable whisper. dis crep anc y ; bloody and the film was visceral, and marketed as a any subject showcase of online humor, on. That’s not a complaint, from sexual assault to with music that would some of the movie’s best terrorism is fair game in be more fitting for a pop jokes are derived from the eyes of the writers. But star’s fancam and lines that nonsensical details in the despite the audacity and sounded like someone’s background. edginess of the movie’s viral tweets.

The rest of the humor, its plot is basic.

The film is centered comedy gets increasingly The fight club is under around two teenagers, PJ unexpected. Rather than threat when one football (Rachel Sennott) and Josie the grating humor the player with a grudge tries to

BY ZACH YOO staff writer

(Ayo Edbeiri). Their school’s loser lesbians, they fabricate a criminal history and start a high school fight club in order to attempt to get laid.

Weird across-the-board, “Bottoms” takes place in a bizarre parody world of high school movie tropes, where the star quarterback is the second coming of Christ and history teachers assign quizzes called “Feminism: Who started it?”

At times it’s hard to even parse exactly what exactly the film is mocking with just how many tropes it’s taking

dig up dirt on its founders.

If their lie about juvie is revealed, it could spell disaster for the club and the budding romance between leader Josie and her crush Isabel (Havana Rose Liu).

The generic plot doesn’t get in the way of the comedy. It’s more like it

amplifies it, bringing plenty of gags straight out of an 80s high school movie. It does, however, force a warm and happy romance subplot into a movie that is otherwise unashamedly offensive.

This is perhaps inevitable – there still aren’t many movies about lesbians, and

GWEN WEBER-STOVER

it would be a downer to have the film end with its main couple apart.

Bottoms” is, a crowdpleasing good time at the movies, before anything else. In striving to be a feelgood comedy, it also loses a bit of the edge that makes it more than just relatable.

ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

13

WORD ON THE STREET

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Kajsa De Ugarte, a sophomore in AC remembers her family’s influence on her music taste. “My dad introduced me to a lot (of music) that I didn’t know before,” she shared, recalling her father playing records for her as a kid.

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“My earliest memory of music is probably dancing in the kitchen with my brother when I was like five,” said Felicity Anastasia, a senior in CAS. “We’d just have dance battles in the kitchen.” She noted that this experience continues to align with her current interest in performance: “I dance all the time, that’s my thing.”

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Siena Librizzi, a sophomore in AC, remembered that “watching the ‘Thriller’ Michael Jackson video with my mom and my brother” particularly stuck with her, as she appreciated the storytelling that came with it. “Seeing music videos is really cool, visualizing what you’re listening to– putting a story to it,” she added.

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Lily Lampach, a senior in Academic Choice, was reminded of her experience watching the musical “Frozen”. “Elsa and Anna singing about how they like to ‘let it go,’” she said, was particularly captivating at the time.

While Lampach admitted that the aesthetics of the movie drew her in more than the soundtrack itself, she found this to be a memorable experience nonetheless.

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Sathya BaligaWalsh, a senior in BIHS, said that listening to music in the car was memorable for him. When asked why this was particularly significant to him, he explained his affinity for meaningful music, “I like where the artist is saying something (that) I can take and apply in my daily life.”

AC junior, Ranier Bissell, recalls listening to music in the car when he was younger. “My dad liked listening to the radio, and they would always play Coldplay.” Bissell described that while he doesn’t feel this had much of an influence on his musical consumption today, it is still something he can turn to for nostalgia.

BY RORY NADEAU staff writer

PHOTOS BY TOSCANA GIRARD MAXON staff photographer

Jazz combos at BHS foster creativity, community, and challenge

BY EVA KATZ staff writer

The band program at Berkeley High School brings creativity, community and challenge to the people in it. Combos, a combination of anywhere from two to 10 people with a mix of instruments, can be a great way for student musicians to not only practice their instrument, but also to play in a more casual setting.

“The specific way (combos are) interpreted here in the Berkeley High School jazz culture is, it’s a student led group meant to play jazz and all sorts of jazz genres,” said Elliott Martens, a senior in the jazz band.

Teachers in the band program highly encourage

students of all grades in their classes to form and participate in combos.

“They don’t always need an adult telling them what to do. They need to figure it out themselves and they need to choose the tunes.

They need to figure out how to make them sound good,” said Sarah Cline, a jazz teacher at BHS. “They need to arrange the tune with the band, which takes a lot of listening and thought and coordination. It’s just such a great thing.”

When a group of students who participate in combos were asked whether they felt supported and creatively challenged, they unanimously and enthusiastically said yes.

Martens described the process of creating a combo.

“There’s kind of an art involved with finding the right people for the job,” Martens said. “Thankfully, Berkeley High has such a massive pool of musicians, so it’s not really hard to find somebody. … There are plenty of combos that form in friendships. If there’s a bunch of jazz kids that are friends with each other, they just want to play together in the form of a combo.”

Students in combos usually play a myraid of instruments.

“Most of (the people in the combo) are just in freshman band with me, so usually it’s a few different instruments, so I just asked one trumpet player, a bass player, (and) said, ‘Want to start playing?’ and they were like ‘Sure,’’’ said Vikram

Bisarya, a BHS freshman.

Students who are interested in forming a combo often ask friends and classmates. Combos are usually made up of a bass, drums, a piano, a trumpet and a saxophone. There has always been a culture of combos within the BHS community, bringing everyone together.

“It reproduces itself from year to year, which is really awesome,” Cline said when asked about the culture of combos. While the culture of combos hasn’t changed much in terms of the instruments, there has been some significant developments. Cline points out a very important difference in the band community. “(What) I’ve noticed since I got here is a

lot more girls being included in combos, making their own combos, and making girls and non-binary student combos together. It’s a part of solving the problem of, ‘how come there’s so many

guys out there on the stage.’”

Jazz musicians are, in the near future, hoping to have combos playing in the courtyard during the week.

Everyone is encouraged to come and listen.

ANNA HOWELL

14

ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Hollywood shows innacurate depictions of high school life which have all received significant praise and high ratings. Yet these shows, among others, may not represent the majority of teenagers lives.

From the John “They’re accurate Hughes teen movies that depictions of some peoples’ dominated the 80s, to more high school experience,” contemporary series like Smith said.

“Riverdale” and “Gilmore R e y n a u d Girls”, there’s often commented on the been a longstanding history of “(Kids) see these people and then possible causes for this by saying it is i n a c c u r at e they try and strive to be them.” “probably older representation of people writing teenhood. Young Taylor Reynaud, (them).” adults are all too BHS freshman It’s true that media is having an engaged themselves? familiar with the the writers and audience that wants to “I think it makes it time-tested tropes directors of these watch whatever has been more dramatic and more of complicated romances, dramatic simply cannot capture the shows and films are not created. The question, then, interesting to watch,” Smith themselves. lies in whether following added, touching on the friendships, and impulsive awkward phase between teenagers and And while they have the realistic life of an prevalence of unrealistic adventures. The transition pre-pubescence between childhood and adulthood that all teens go certainly been through average teenager would be “teen” media. It’s unclear the experience, if less dramatized adulthood is, without a through.

Taylor Reynaud and it’s unlikely that media would be doubt, a fascinating time fully It’s unclear if less dramatized media able to compete to depict in entertainment. Josephine Smith, both filmmakers the with the teen And yet, most teen media Berkeley High School understand would be able to compete with the shows we’ve grown of seems to get stuck in the freshmen, agreed that intricacies these modern teenage teen shows we’ve grown accustomed accustomed to. same cliched rut of high perpetuating unrealistic expectations life. This results in “I feel like it to. school inaccuracies. would be kind of To start, many high can be harmful to young content that doesn’t Reynaud reflect what today’s boring, but I feel school shows and films cast audiences. appealing to audiences. Do like if it was well executed actors who are well beyond referred to shows such as young adults experience.

The last piece in teens want to watch what then I would watch it,” their teen years. “Pretty “Euphoria”, “Never Have I Little Liars”, for example, Ever”, and “Heartstopper”, producing any kind of they’ve been experiencing Reynaud said.

BY HANNAH GROTHREIDY staff writer

was made up of a cast between the age range of 20-24. Nina Dobrev from “The Vampire Diaries” began to film at the age of 20. This phenomenon is problematic, as it creates standards for young audiences that simply aren’t realistic. Adult actors

Colossal movie flops of 2023

BY SAM MASCARENHAS staff writer

“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” was a highly anticipated fantasy adventure movie based on the popular roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons (D&D.) Fans of D&D were excited to see their beloved tabletop game brought to life on the big screen. However, despite the hype, potential, and star studded cast, the movie IRIS LE LIBOUX failed to meet commercial a lot of money to make has also had negative expectations. Even with the action films, and it requires impacts on the quality of highly positive reception, a similarly large amount recent movies. the film only grossed $208 of hype to draw audiences It’s not like all big-budget million at the box office back into theaters after action movies are destined worldwide on a budget of the COVID-19 pandemic. to be flops. “Guardians $150 million.

Due to the pandemic, of the Galaxy, Vol. 3,” for The D&D movie is far many theaters closed after example, had a box office from the only high-budget suffering losses that were draw of around $845 million bomb in 2023. worldwide with “Indiana Jones a production and and the Dial of marketing budget It’s clear that high budgets don’t Destiny”, the muchof less than half that hyped final film in guarantee high returns in this post- number. Similarly, pandemic era. the decades-long “Spiderman Across franchise, actually the Spider Verse” lost money. The earned around $600 movie drew in $375 million too great to rebound from. million on a $100 million on a mind-boggling budget COVID-19 also led to heavy budget. Both films delivered of $400 million. Other investment into streaming on every front, recieving high-budget flops from services, better-enabling raving reviews from critics.

2023 include “The Flash”, people to watch movies It’s clear that super high “Shazam: Fury of the Gods”, without going to the theater. budgets don’t guarantee and “Fast X.” Throughout the summer, high returns in this postOne significant factor strikes by both the actors pandemic era. “Dungeons contributing to the and the writers guild in and Dragons: Honor Among lackluster performance of Hollywood significantly Thieves” might be great, but — Raven Fonsecaare Jensen these blockbusters is their hindered film production. as studios learning, the colossal production and Both strikes are continuing movie industry simply isn’t marketing costs. It costs with no end in sight, which where it used to be.

OLIVIA HIBSER

SARA TEITELBAUM

The harm inflicted on young audiences by unrealistic standards is another tough question to answer.

“I think ... (kids) ... see these people and then they try and strive to be them, but it’s unhealthy and inaccurate,” Reynaud said.

“I think there could be ways to portray the drama without setting negative examples for kids,” Smith stated.

While it’s unlikely that teen films are going away, it is important to consider how youth are represented.

Movie Recommendations: Fall edition

BY KAIYA JORDAN AND SIMON POLICY Entertainment editors

Rushmore

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

Max Fischer is an eccentric high school student who participates in nearly every extracurricular activity offered at the prestigous academy he attends. This Wes Anderson film follows him through an epic tale of intelligence, uniquness, and a brutal rivarly between Max and a middle-aged man.

The Boy and the Beast

Courtesy of Toho

Nine-year-old Ren is still grieving the loss of his mother when he finds himself transported into the magical kingdom of beasts.

Ren’s taken under the wing of the beast Kumatetsu, a grumpy loner. Together, the two embark on an lifechanging adventure accross the mystic, parallel world.

Submit!

Entertainment is taking media suggestions for spooky season!

SPORTS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Volleyball dominates Alameda at home

BY SOPHIE DRESKIN staff writer

On Sep. 12, the Berkeley High School girls varsity volleyball team played against the Alameda Hornets. Berkeley crushed Alameda; not one set was lost.

The first set was the closest. The points were tipping back and forth among Berkeley and Alameda, but with Berkeley slightly favored the majority of the time. With the Yellowjackets keeping their small lead throughout the set, they pulled out the first win of the game, winning the set 25-22.

The first few points of the second set were similar to the first. There was no significant lead on either end, and it seemed as though either team could take the win. However, Berkeley quickly began to creep ahead, towards the middle of the set.

The eighth point from Berkeley, when they really began to gain momentum, was won when senior Elle Walker, an outside hitter, got a very powerful hit.

BHS kept their huge lead through the end of the set, winning the game 259. When asked about the set, Walker said, “We really stepped it up and had some nice hustle plays.”

The third set started with a tight score between the teams. However, BHS quickly got further and further ahead, eventually creating an 11 point lead.

Near the end of the set, Alameda began to slither back up towards Berkeley, on a possible come up. They started closing the gap, but were not completely

successful.

Berkeley managed to pull through quickly in the end of the third set, winning 25-17, resulting in an overall 3-0 Berkeley win.

Rock noted that the seniors on the team played a large part in the win, “The seniors getting to play and all playing well was a great thing,” she said.

She also stated that the best part of the game was that, “It was a good team win; they played well as a team and everybody who stepped on the court positively contributed.”

In Donahue Gym, BHS’s girls varsity volleyball gathers as a team before a set.

COURTESY OF NAWOO KIM

Head coach Kimberlee Rock said that Elle, “took the net down.”

After this play, Berkeley began to fly past Alameda in terms of points, keeping their 10 point lead for the rest of the set. Junior and Libero Semaj Manuel got 12 serves straight during this set, which catapulted BHS to victory.

Manuel credited the large lead to the team’s communication. “(the team) did a good job talking to each other and connecting on a bunch of different balls.”

Girls water polo crushes Lick Wilmerding

BY LULI GALINSON staff writer

Water polo season has begun, and the girls team is ready to dive in. On the evening of Wednesday, September 13, the girls water polo team played against Lick Wilmerding High School at home.

The Jackets started off strong, with senior Eliza McGlashan scoring a goal within the first minute of the first quarter. This was quickly followed by a goal from senior Reba GamsonKnight, with an assist from senior Kendall Maddry.

Berkeley’s defense managed to block all but two of the opponent’s shots in the first quarter, even when the team’s only goalie, Cece Lutz, was taken out for a 30 second penalty. Co-captain and senior Ellie Pett-Ridge Hennessy scored once, and

junior Eden Barnes scored twice. The quarter ended with the score at 5-2 with Berkeley in the lead.

For Pett-Ridge Hennessy, being a co-captain means balancing the interests of the team and the coach. She said, “(It’s) making sure that everyone is feeling safe in the water, feeling good in practice, feeling like part of the team and feeling supported by their coaches.

So just connecting the team.”

Halfway through the first quarter, almost every player in the water was subbed during a time out. Not only is water polo draining, but it can also get very aggressive.

“There’s a lot of stuff that happens under the water that isn’t seen and I think that is different from every other sport because you can see everything when you’re above ground, but in the water, it gets a little

Girls water polo players battle for the ball.

KAYHAN TEZCAN

bit nastier,” Pett-Ridge Hennessy said.

Lick Wilmerding got possession of the ball at the beginning of the second quarter, but they were not able to score. Berkeley scored five more times before halftime. There were goals from junior Phoebe Jasper-Hwang, Maddry, junior Zoe Glass, and back to back unassisted shots from Barnes, ending the quarter with a score of 10-2, Berkeley in the lead.

Throughout the game, Lutz blocked many of the opponents shots. She has been having a successful season this year, and attributes this to working hard in practice and help from her teammates. “It’s a very teamwork driven sport. It’s a water sport, but unlike swimming, you really have to be friends with your teammates and work together in order to do well.”

Lutz said.

She also gave a shout out to Barnes for making many powerful plays. “Eden made a lot of really good steals and we scored off a lot of them,” Lutz said. “So I thought those were good.” She is hopeful that the team can make it to the North Coast Section playoffs this year.

In the third quarter, Lick Wilmerding managed to score twice, but Berkeley’s scoring didn’t slow down.

McGlashan scored within the first 20 seconds of

the quarter, and through the rest of it there were shots by Gamson-Knight, Barnes, and two goals from Hennessy.

Gamson-Knight is the team’s other co-captain.

She also enjoys how much teamwork water polo requires. “There are six people in the pool plus your goalie. So if one of those players is taking shots for themselves or they’re slacking off, it really shows.”

Gamson-Knight expressed.

She also thinks of water polo as a great emotional outlet. “I honestly think a lot of water polo players are really quiet in their lives.

But in the pool, it’s really aggressive and it’s a really good way for quiet girls to get out their anger,” she said.

In the fourth quarter, Berkeley was in the lead, but they still continued to put up a fight. Hennessy scored quickly, but this was followed by another goal from Lick Wilmerding.

However, they came back, and Hennessy scored again. Later, there was a goal from junior Morgan Ostrer, followed by another from McGlashan. In the last 30 seconds of the game the opponents scored a goal, however the Jackets responded and ended with a bang. With eight seconds left in the game, GamsonKnight scored to bring the final score to a 20-6 Berkeley win!

WEIRD HISTORY: NEW ATLANTIS ELI LEICHTER WILSON

Many consider Ernest Hemingway to be one of the greatest American writers of all time. He published some of the most famous novels of the 20th century and won a Pulitzer Prize and a Nobel Prize in literature. But, he’s not who we’re here to talk about today. We are here to talk about his lesser-known younger brother, Leicester Hemingway, who in July of 1964, founded his own country in the middle of the ocean.

Born in 1915, Leicester Hemingway led a largely unremarkable life. He published several books that were received generally positive, though his most famous book was about his older brother. In 1964, perhaps tired of being overshadowed and looking for an escape, Hemingway constructed a 240-square-foot raft out of bamboo, iron piping, and rocks and tethered it to the ocean floor off the Jamaican coast using an old Ford engine.

At the time, the tiny plot of ocean Hemingway called home was technically in international waters. To stake his claim, Hemingway referenced an obscure law from the 1850s which stated that any US citizen could take possession of unclaimed islands that had “guano” deposits (bird feces that can be used in fertilizer). The law was passed as a result of a boom in gunpowder sales, which guano can also be used in.

Using an old typewriter, Hemingway drafted up his country’s constitution. He copied The United States Constitution nearly word-forword, changing any instance of “United States” to “New Atlantis,” which is what he called his new nation. He claimed the unoccupied half of his raft was U.S. territory, while the other half was the nation of New Atlantis (an area about 60 square feet).

By 1965, there were six residents of his country, including Hemingway’s wife, two daughters, a family friend of the Hemingways, and his assistant. Hemingway was voted president by all six members, including himself. Doris, Hemingway’s wife, sewed a flag for the nation.

Hemingway first funded his raft with sales from his book, but as money dried out, he turned to stamp-selling. Unfortunately, the Universal Postal Union did not recognize his homemade stamps as legitimate. He also created his own currency, which he called the “Scruple”. It consisted of fish hooks, shark teeth, beans, and other trinkets he found drifting on the ocean. Despite Hemingway’s lofty goals, which included eventually constructing an actual island out of rocks, the raft met its end in a storm about two years after its genesis. The wreckage was beyond saving.

Over the next 16 years, Hemingway dabbled in other pursuits: for five years, he published a monthly fishing magazine marketed towards men. In 1982, at the age of 67, Hemingway took his own life after struggling with health issues for several years. And that’s the story.

Perhaps the next time your English teacher assigns Ernest Hemingway, you’ll think of his ill-fated brother and the floating micro-nation that never was.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

SPORTS BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

SPORTS EDITORS: COLINA HARVEY & LEO SILVERBERG

LEOSILVERBERG@STUDENTS.BERKELEY.NET

Multi-sport athletes: ‘(It’s) a little hectic’ BHS football home opener was success

BY ELOISE THOMAS staff writer

Berkeley Unified School District Berkeley High Jacket 1980 Allston Way Berkeley, CA 94704

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“I went to a mountain bike race in the morning, I left as soon as I was finished, slept in the car, and then had to go to a track meet at 9 p.m. So that was a little hectic,” said Berkeley High School sophomore Carina Nottingham. Last spring, Nottingham participated in both the school mountain biking team and track team.

She is one of the many multi-sport athletes at BHS who manage a packed schedule in order to play the sports they want to.

For some athletes, such as BHS senior Will Polishuk, this means back to back workouts some days.

Especially during basketball season, when he has baseball practice during many of the days that he also practices for basketball.

In addition to the difficulty of doing both, sometimes the challenge is deciding which sport to prioritize. “Sometimes there are both things going on, and you can’t be in two places at one time,” said Polishuk.

For other athletes, like sophomore Camille Cunningham, this means choosing one sport over the other. Last year, Cunningham decided to leave the BHS crew team after joining a climbing team. Crew was a time demanding sport with practices five days a week, leaving little time for climbing especially when she joined the team and started going to more practices.

Cunningham’s passion for one sport made it worth the loss of the other. “I just decided that I wanted to

climb. And that was more important to me than crew was,” she said.

In contrast, Polishuk’s enjoyment of both sports was what made doing both worth it. “It is difficult, but I like doing it so much that I don’t find it hard to do,” said Polishuk.

Polishuk decided to stick with just one sport for college, and is committed to play baseball for PomonaPitzer. Much of his decision was based on the future and the opportunities each sport would give him. “I have definitely prioritized baseball. I’ve always played both, and I’ve always loved both. But baseball is the one I was better at and I knew I wanted to pursue in college,” he said.

According to BHS senior Marlow Buettner, who plays both baseball and soccer, playing multiple sports has helped him improve his athletic skills. There are many ways that cross training can help advance skills in both sports, and help athletes learn new techniques that can be applied in many situations.

“I think playing just one [sport] can take away from using your athleticism,” he said.

Polishuk has also found that having complimentary sports makes doing both easier and can be beneficial.

“In terms of athletic performance… baseball helps basketball and basketball helps baseball,” he said.

Nottingham agreed, saying, “Biking is a great way to keep my cardio up for running, but still have a lower impact sport, where I feel less likely to get overuse injuries, even though mountain biking does have its own injury risks.”

BY SYDNEY LEHRER staff writer

“I think playing just one (sport) can take away from using your athleticism.”

Marlow Buettner, BHS senior

PHOTOS BY MEI SAPHIR

“I would have more regret if I had chosen one (sport).”

On Friday, Sept. 8, the Berkeley High School Yellowjackets faced De Anza High School in their first home game of the season, defeating them by a score of 41-14. The bleachers were packed with students dressed in all black to show their support for the team, and the crowd was rowdy.

After losing their first two games of the season, the Jackets were expected to be evenly matched, but they started off hot to begin the game. A 70 yard rushing touchdown by junior wide receiver BJ Thurman got the Jackets rolling within the first 30 seconds of the game. “We came out with a lot of energy,” said senior quarterback Deontae Faison. I think we’re happy to be home finally. And that really boosted us.”

Late in the second quarter, De Anza scored its second field goal, placing the score at 28-14 going into halftime.

The Jackets strengthened their defense in the second half, shutting De Anza out, and scoring another 13

points before the end of the game.

Junior William Graham said that the win felt like a relief, although, “(This game) proves we can win, but it also proves we still have a lot to grow,” he said.

Faison was proud of his team’s win. “I feel like we embraced each other’s game, and we came together and really fought hard for this one,” said Faison.

Head coach David Perry reflected on what this first win meant for his team.

“We’d like to say you either win or you learn, and we have learned a lot about ourselves, about being humble, about playing tough, and just staying and sticking with it,” he said.

“It was definitely kind of a weight off our shoulders.”

He also praised the team’s offensive and defensive lines, and said that in future games he looks forward to building up their running game.

Thinking about the season ahead, Coach Perry has high expectations. “The seasons looking bright,” he said. “We expect to be in the playoffs and I think this is a stepping stone into the right direction.”

Will Polishuk, BHS senior Despite the social challenges that come along with a restrictive schedule, Polishuk found being a part of two teams to be a highlight for him. “Playing on both teams is definitely the most fun I’ve had in high school,” he said.

Multi-sport athletes face many obstacles trying to juggle schedules, multiple workouts, and academics, but Polishuk has no regrets about the sports he played at BHS. “I think I would have more regret if I had chosen one (sport),” he said.

BHS student section cheering on Friday evening.

GEORGIA PAULOS

ATHLETE PROFILE

LEV TEIBLUM

Berkeley High School junior BJ Thurman is a wide receiver on the varsity football team. As a child, he always liked football, but he focused on basketball because his dad played it. However, his focus switched to football in sixth grade. Finding it to be more interesting than basketball, he has been hooked on the sport ever since. “It has taught me a lot of stuff … once I got started, I was roped in,” said Thurman. This led him to really enjoy the family aspect of the team, and he developed close friendships with teammates. “It’s real love behind our team,” he said. “I feel like I can do anything with the guys I play with, even outside of football,” Thurman said. Thurman has received several offers to play football in college, and while he is grateful for each one, he hopes to go to school in the East.

No matter what, football remains something Thurman loves. “If I mess up, I’ll mess up, if I ball, I ball,” he said.

— Sze Ting Chen