BHS Jacket 2023/24 Issue 4

BERKELEY HIGH

PUBLISHED BY AND FOR THE STUDENTS OF BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL

www.berkeleyhighjacket.com • friday, OCTOBER 20, 2023

no. 4

Spirit W eek pho to .

spr ead on

since 1912

page 9

PHOTO BY NOLAN WHITEHILL ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANJA BALL

NEWS

BUSD continues the use of Lucy Calkins’ reading curriculum

BY EVA LEVENSON staff writer

Ashby BART station, where new affordable housing is planned for the parking lot.

JULIAN NATHAN

OPINON

Ashby BART remodel will harm residents

BY ANNIKA JOY staff writer

South Berkeley locals may have heard of plans for new affordable housing units, which are to be built in the space that is now the parking lot of the Ashby BART station.

This is part of a larger plan to provide more affordable

housing for Berkeley residents and has been in the making by Berkeley officials and community members for over eight years through much planning and public meetings. BART, however, announced this year that they will be combatting this long-term plan in favor of the construction of a new power substation. The substation,

and all of the repercussions of its construction, will have a significant negative impact on the South Berkeley community.

The original housing plans for the Ashby station included hundreds of new homes to be built atop the station’s parking lot. The housing was to be affordable and the plans also featured ground-

level retail and a potential permanent home for the Ashby Flea Market. Overall, this expansion would have provided economic growth, stability, and vibrancy to the surrounding area, and was a project that gave residents hope for the future of their community.

The power substation, on the other hand, PAGE 7

In 2017, families of students with dyslexia, (a learning difference that makes it difficult to learn how to read and spell) sued Berkeley Unified School District. The federal class action lawsuit was filed stating that BUSD failed to provide legally required accommodations to students struggling with reading. The lawsuit was settled in 2021 and mandated that BUSD adopt better interventions for struggling readers, universal screening tests for learning differences, and re-examine the literacy curriculum.

Currently, BUSD uses the Lucy Calkins based method to teach students how to read. According to Katy

Reese, a literacy specialist and Oakland teacher, in regards to the Lucy Calkins curriculum, “Early readers (pre-kindergarten through first grade) are given texts called leveled readers which are often called pattern based texts (I see the dog, I see the cat ect.). There is also (a) picture associated with each sentence,” said Reese.

“This teaches students to memorize a pattern and ... to look to the picture for cues.”

However, this curriculum was un-accredited this year by some institutions, such as the Teachers College at Columbia University, which no longer stands behind their product.

Ali Forbush, a sophomore at Berkeley High School, recounted her experience with dyslexia, “In second grade, we had reading levels.

Many people PAGE 2

Listen to the The Buzz: Rally Day ... Back in Time

BHS librarians: A busy day in the life

Analise Van Hoang: Climbing to the top

The Jacket’s podcast brings you an episode exploring how school spirit has changed over the years.

Read about all of the exciting things our school librarians get up to on a day to day basis on PAGE 10

Analise Van Hoang is a sophomore at BHS and one of the best U16 rock climbers in the country. PAGE 15

2 F R I D A Y, O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 2 3

NEWS EDITORS: FINOLA JACKSON & AARON STEVENS

NEWS BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

AARONSTEVENS@STUDENTS.BERKELEY.NET

School board meeting: Members discuss youth voting and BSEP

BY MINAMI SOGA staff writer

On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the Berkeley Unified School District School Board gave updates on Measure Y1, the Berkeley Schools Excellence Program (BSEP) measure renewal, and the development of the 2023 Compliance and Improvement Monitoring (CIM) for Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervention Services (CCEIS) 2023 plan.

In a presentation, Margaret Prinzing announced that Measure Y1 is anticipated to be implemented in Alameda County as soon as Nov. 2024.

Measure Y1 would allow Alameda County citizens of 16 to 17 years old to vote in school board elections. There are two major hurdles that need to be overcome to accommodate youth voting. One is ensuring that the company that runs the voting system software for Alameda County, Setback, is able to update the system in

order to accommodate youth voting. The company plans to have the system tested by Feb. 2024, but may experience delays.

The second hurdle involves the cost of updating the system and providing ballots for youth voters. The cost for the update is estimated to come to about $77 thousand. This price is expected to rise because the training fees for staff to work the system has not yet been included. Youth voters will only be able to vote via mail.

Ballots will be sent out to each person’s home, where they will be able to submit their ballots in the mail or at voting centers.

Each ballot is estimated to cost around seven to nine dollars.

The total cost is expected to be from $22.4 to $28.8 thousand per voting session. These costs are seen to be encouraging, but any major changes in the estimate may cause the prices to be deemed as too high.

Another topic of discussion w a s t h e B SE P m e a s u re renewal. BSEP is a local tax program which provides funds

to Berkeley public schools in response to the funding shortages within the district.

The Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2016 is the legislation which imposes the tax program. It is set to be put to an end in 202425. The superintendent of the program announced that they had intentions in renewing the act.

At the meeting, the y presented and analyzed the results for the poll that they had released. These polls helped to receive input on what voters prioritize in the usage of the special tax funds, how the change in tax rates affected voters’ support towards the special tax funds that support BSEP, and voters’ standpoints on BSEP. The results of the polls revealed that for the tax rates of $0.53/sq ft and $0.55/sq ft, support exceeds the majority needed to be able to renew the measure. The job ratings showed a steady increase in satisfaction towards BUSD. It also showed how voters

appreciate the programs and initiatives which are funded

by BSEP and that most of the voters are comfortable with the extra taxes that they are paying towards schools in the district and how they are being used.

This data is considered to be in favor of the BSEP measure renewal.

The last topic of discussion was the development of the 2023 CIM for CCEIS 2023 plan. The CIM for CCEIS plan is a general education plan which aspires to prevent racial and ethnic groups from being over or underrepresented among those who receive special education. In order to monitor and address the causes of disproportionality in the representation of different ethnic and racial groups in special education and related services within each state, districts are required to write an annual CCEIS plan. Currently, the district is working on their fourth plan in which they are still pending for approval of the plan from the Board of Education.

In total, there are four measurable outcomes (MO) that the plan is centered towards achieving. These MOs include increasing Vision Scholars ELA/Literacy benchmark assessment scores, increasing attendance rates, reducing the number of outof-school suspensions, and increasing the number of Vision Scholar students and families who feel a sense of belonging and cultural affirmation in the community.

In order to reach these MOs they gathered feedback from

CLAUDIA BLOOM

California Education Partners, the Leadership Team, and the school board. The feedback gave different suggestions as to how they should approach these MOs and other data that is needed in order to properly assess the problems that may be preventing these outcomes from being achieved. By using this feedback and other data, they hope to be able to devise different ideas on how to address these problems, as well as ways that they can improve, in order to be able to meet these MOs.

BUSD upholds Lucy Calkins’ curriculum CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

were moving up and bragging about it, while I was pretending to read and making up the story from the covers and images. That got me by in kindergarten and first grade, and I didn’t understand how people were reading the words

and understanding them.”

Students struggling to properly learn how to read doesn’t just affect students with learning differences. Class and race also play a large role. In 2022, “30 percent of African American students compared to 83 percent of white students (were) reading

at grade level,” a report by the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress said. Also in 2022, “Only 67 percent of BUSD students (were) reading at grade level,” the same report said.

Reichi Lee, a parent of a student now in fifth grade,

ISA SHIMOMURA

said, “My son doesn’t have a diagnosable learning difference but was far behind in reading by second grade.

He needed the repetition and structure of phonics to learn how to read; instead, he was only looking at the pictures in the book.”

Tse-Sung Wu, a parent of a current sixth grader, said, “We were able to pay a small fortune (about seventeen thousand dollars) to have his tutoring. … If you don’t have the means to do this catch-up, then you’re really screwed.”

Combined, both Wu and Lee said they spent about forty thousand dollars on tutoring and testing for their children.

“I do think it’s important for fol ks to admit t hat there is no one curriculum that’s a magic bullet,” said Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel. According to Morthel, BUSD has taken steps to address the terms of the settlement and help struggling students.

Last year, BUSD worked in partnership with outside

On average, families of students with dyslexia are spending

on additional support

c o n s u l t a n t , D r. K e i t h Gibbons, from the University of Minnesota, to review the Lucy Calkins curriculum. The curriculum has been banned in several states, including Mississippi. BUSD found major gaps and has begun to address these through professional development programs. However, BUSD has not released a response to

ELIOT SCHRAG

citizens who are asking for a switch to a new research-based curriculum.

Reese also commented on how there is a lack of discussion in the district, “Lucy Calkins is the elephant in the room. … BUSD has made no public statement about plans for evaluating and piloting possible new programs,” said Reese.

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NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

City shuts down chess spot on Telegraph

BY ARIANA YEROVAM staff writer

The corner of Telegraph Ave. and Haste St. in Berkeley is a historical place, steeped in meaning.

It was previously known as “Cody’s Free Speech Corner,” after Pat Cody, the late owner of Cody’s Books, which resided on Telegraph Ave. from 1956-77. The corner hosted not only an abundance of cultural, social, and activist speakers, but also a first aid center for Vietnam War protesters in 1968. Now, for almost three years, the corner has served as a meeting spot for the Telegraph “chess club” led by the chairman of the club, Jesse Sheehan.

On Friday, Sept. 29, the club was forcibly shut down, and the tables and chairs were removed from the site due to ongoing permit violation by the owner of the property and storefront, Ken Sarachan. The club has since continued to occupy the space until further actions are taken.

The club, previously held at People’s Park, a block up on Haste St., has, for roughly a decade, provided a unifying, positive, and inviting community for people of all demographics,

including age, health, gender, race, and class. It was inspired by Sheehan’s experience playing street chess in New York and Virginia Beach throughout his adolescence. He initially founded the club as a way of contributing to the community in Berkeley.

Sheehan spoke of the importance of chess and why access to public spaces for the club could be interpreted as a necessity.

“The city is spending millions of dollars figuring out where they can do biking infrastructure and bike racks. A lot of my friends are disabled; you don’t bike in a wheelchair, but chess is a very good alternative. …

It gives somebody whose mind is not paralyzed, but perhaps they themselves are, an opportunity,” he said.

In addition to never being asked or asking to pay rent on the affected property, Sheehan is a personal friend of Sarachan’s. As Sheehan put it, “The city decided to begin selective code enforcement on his property against our tables and chairs. Tables and chairs are against the ordinance of the property.” He later added, “(That Sarachan) had to do what he had to do or lose the property for auction.”

This ongoing

discordance has triggered a lot of controversy between the City of Berkeley and its constituents.

“In the California Constitution, it says that the freedom of assembly is to protect the people who may assemble to consult for the common good. … Any day that we are collectively here on this corner, we are obviously consulting for the common good,” said Sheehan.

Sheehan additionally shared how the potential permanent removal of the chess tables and chairs could affect the youth community.

“The youth has to realize that their public spaces are being attacked by corporatization,” he said, later adding, “This is your public space in your hometown so why haven’t you guys had benches along Telegraph to play chess on

your own?”

Growing up you could have just sat with the smartest people in the world down here. By removing public spaces, we’re removing the opportunity for people to share information. We’re robbing a generation of a chance to meet people.”

Kash Goldblum, a Berkeley High School sophomore and leader of the Berkeley High Chess Club expressed how community youth will feel the loss of the Telegraph “chess club”.

“Having free access to chess ... in public is really important because some people can’t do that. …

It was a very open and welcoming community, and I think that people have fun playing chess there. And I just think that shutting it down, that’s a real bummer,” they said.

The chess spot served as a community hub.

MADELEINE WILSON

BHS students fundraise for cancer research

Maya Merhige encourages students to get involved.

BY LUCY GRIFFITH staff writer

On Sept. 30, the annual Swim Across America (SAA) charity event was held. This year, about 200 swimmers attended, including several Berkeley High School students, to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

A lot of planning goes into the event each year.

Susan Helmrich, a swim coach at BHS, has organized the event for the last 15 years. She said, “We start planning for the event almost a year in advance.

We’ll get our date for next year within a week or two (of the swim finishing).”

There are land volunteers that help with set up, clean up, and welcoming swimmers as they finish.

On the water there is a team

QUINCY MORRIS-FRY

of support kayakers and boaters, as well as Olympians and angel swimmers. Angel swimmers help to facilitate swimming by assisting newer swimmers, some of whom are cancer survivors, and by keeping everyone safe.

Maya Merhige is a junior at BHS and was an angel swimmer for SAA. She was also president of the Junior Advisory Board with Morgan Ostrer as her vice president. The board is a collection of young people who are passionate about swimming, cancer research, and getting more youth involved in the swim.

Before the swim, some cancer survivors and doctors who are receiving money from the swim gave speeches. Mateo Knapp, a participating swimmer and BHS student, explained how the speeches helped

swimmers understand the significance of the fundraiser.

“There’s a lot of motivation going around,” said Knapp. “It was meaningful to understand where these funds were going. … All that money we fundraised was directly going somewhere and wouldn’t be lost in a pile of money.”

In the past, there have been issues with swimmers getting hypothermia, but everything went smoothly this year. The swim was about 1.5 miles, and the fastest swimmers this year took about fifteen minutes because the currents were flowing in their favor.

Knapp explained his response to the swim, “I felt like I could do something in support of cancer through my sport, something I love to do. I felt really great about it overall and had a positive impact on something that I care about.”

All swimmers are required to raise five hundred dollars before swimming or three hundred if they’re younger than sixteen. Swimmers also have the option to join a team which creates a sense of comradery and unity leading up to the swim.

Helmrich has led Team Susan for 18 years, which

Merhige and other BHS students were a part of.

The first year that Team Susan competed, only three members competed for the team. This year, 53 swimmers were a part of Team Susan. Over the 18 years of SAA, Team Susan has raised around $1.1 million.

Helmrich was inspired to start Team Susan because of her passion for fundng cancer research. “I am a three time cancer survivor, said Helmrich. “Swimming is really important to me and raising awareness for cancer survival and raising money for cancer research is really my passion.” This year, Team Susan raised about $140,000 out of the $413,831 for SAA raised.

This money is distributed to two different things: a survivorship program, which works to aid kids who have had cancer in their lives, and Doctor Julie Saba, who runs a lab at the Oakland UCSF Children’s hospital. She studies cancer at a cellular level including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Knapp added, “I think the first part of it is being aware of the situation, like the lack of resources and cancer research. … The first step is spreading the word.”

ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY PENN LYNCH

OPSEC, or Operations Security, is the practice of an individual in order to secure their personal data and privacy. Many Berkeley High School students, or more generally, American society as a whole, remains quite ignorant to the best practices of OPSEC. This is evidenced by the necessary inclusion of its definition in my writing.

The most detrimental factor towards the security of individual Americans, since the Patriot Act post 9/11, has been our ignorance towards its importance and our complicity in its weakening. I remember a few years ago when DNA tests to discover family history and possible diseases were becoming increasingly popular. How many of those who decided to participate actively considered the ramifications of freely giving their genetic information to a company? We assumed we could trust the company to keep it safe. The idea of safe data is different for everyone. To me, safe data is data only I have access to, or data I don’t mind others having access to. To others, safety in data is when approved assessors are given complete rights to this information.

Often, this is not a conscious choice, and one’s ideas of what they think safe data is, doesn’t truly reflect their actions, or vice versa. This is because this moment of decision on how data will be safeguarded is often just one checkbox that says, “I agree to the terms and conditions.”

We have to accept that when we give information to a company, we are forfeiting that data. It is no longer in our hands, and others may gain access to it in ways we didn’t expect, nor could we possibly avoid. This is exemplified in a recent 23andMe data breach in which millions of user data was leaked, specifically targeting those of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

Companies are not going to become competent at securing your data anytime soon, so it’s time to secure it yourself. On the most fundamental level, this means making educated choices on what you are willing to engage with. Although it may not be realistic for me to ask for you to read through pages of legal jargon in order to find out how companies are using your data, it’s a lot more reasonable to suggest primarily engaging with transparent, often open source and to oppose yourself towards proprietary software. In the end, by engaging with these types of companies, you almost guarantee that someone has.

Sadly, even if you’ve mastered OPSEC and make educated decisions that determine how you structure your commercial engagement, that doesn’t stop you from falling victim to database breaches. For example, within the 23andMe data breach, millions more users, who had never used 23andMe or interacted with it in any way also had their data compromised via DNA Relatives, a feature pushed by the company that associates 23andMe users with their relatives. Until tighter data protection is instituted, or the general public becomes more aware of the necessity to protect our data, your data can never be truly safe. Matthew Mullenweg, a well known web developer, said, “As the web becomes more and more of a part of our everyday lives, it would be a horrible tragedy if it was locked up inside of companies and proprietary software.”

3

4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

NEWS

Berkeley High Students Celebrate Filipino Heritage Month fought for ethnic studies at over as just another month San Francisco State and UC in October,” said Sandiego.

Berkeley in the 1960s and “We should spend a little 70s. A lot of the resources bit more time talking about October is Filipino and privileges and amazing it because the first step is American History Month, things we have today exist always acknowledging it, which was created by because of the sacrifices and but then the awareness of Filipino American activists the work and the movements others accepting the culture and first celebrated in 1992. that Filipinos and Filipino and learning about it more.”

At Berkeley High School, Americans did.”

According to Sandiego, a students are L a u r e l large part of Filipino culture using the said that it’s often includes Filipinos “A lot of the ... amazing things that we month to learn i m p o r t a n t trying to help others when about and to know the they can, even if they don’t have today exist because of ... the work discuss Filipino people from have many resources to and the movements of Filipinos.” and Filipino your ethnicity spare.

American and heritage “I think that kind of Matthew Laurel history and who helped embodies Filipino culture AAPI Lit Teacher culture. cultivate who as a whole,” said Sandiego.

Ac c o r d i n g you are and “I think Filipinos have to Matthew what you mean always had that kindness Laurel, who teaches Asian Education about Filipino in society today. and wholeheartedness that American and Pacific Heritage Month also plays Margaret Sandiego, a made them want to be part Islander (AAPI) Literature a role in celebrating and senior in Communication of the community and to at BHS, Filipino Heritage honoring Filipino culture.

Arts and Sciences, said that share what they had. Even Month is about recognizing Laurel said he is Filipino Heritage Month if it was only a little bit the people who helped introducing a new Filipino is often overlooked, but because kindness went a elevate the lives of Filipino- American historical figure is an important part of long way for them. ” Americans, like Larry each day to his For Sandiego, Itiliong or Philip Vera Cruz. students, and in a society that “History is really looking teaching his son is still working “Knowing about these at individuals who were about Filipino towards complete underrepresented voices can inspire important in our story, and Filipinoequality and a new generation of activists, whereas heritage is more A m e r i c a n representation educators, and change makers.” about the cultural elements, History. for all ethnicities, which are also important,” “ I t ’ s it’s important said Laurel. “It’s important important; it’s to do what you Camille Jacala to draw attention to the who he is,” said can to feel proud BIHS senior people themselves.”

Laurel. “Filipinos of your culture.

For Camille Jacala, fought in World They mentioned a senior in Berkeley War Two, Filipinos worked recognizing and learning that feeling proud of your International High School, in the farms in the Central about different cultures. heritage can include a range this month is important Valley of California with “I think Filipino Heritage of activities like joining a because it celebrates her Cesar Chavez, Filipinos Month kind of gets looked student-led cultural club,

BY MAYA DANG staff writer

family, her grandparents immigrating to the U.S., and their contributions to the second world war.

“Without my grandparents and their history, my family and I would not have the same opportunities we have today,” said Jacala.

JENNIFER YOC FERREIRA

making and designing a presentation that showcases your origins, or taking the time to ask about your family’s personal history. It really makes an important difference.

“It’s very important to recognize this month because there’ve been a lot of contributions that Filipinos and Filipino Americans have made to our society

and to our history,” said Jacala. “It’s important for kids from underrepresented backgrounds to know who Filipino figures are, and to be inspired by their perseverance and leadership. Knowing about these underrepresented and less recognized voices can inspire a new generation of activists, educators, and change-makers.”

What causes the frequent fire alarms at Berkeley High School? for the alarm to be triggered students about the harm other preventative actions is students smoking or caused by false alarms need to be taken as well. vaping in the bathrooms, and the consequences “Students or construction a student activating a of creating a false alarm, are almost always the causes fire alarm pull station, or collaborating with our of the fire alarm,” said Blatt, construction accidentally Facilities Department, highlighting the significant triggering a detector,” said local fire department, and impact of ongoing Harrison Blatt, construction a BHS vice projects on these “Students or construction are principal. incidents.

B l a t t ’ s According to almost always the causes of the fire st ate me nt Blatt, the school is alarm.” underscores the exploring options significance of to upgrade the Harrison Blatt maintaining a safe fire alarm system, Vice Principal and secure school ensuring it is environment. less vulnerable Identifying the to accidental most common reasons for construction partners, triggers while also remaining alarm triggers highlights and increasing campus highly responsive to KAI HANSCHEN Fire alarms are located throughout all BHS school buildings. the need for vigilance in supervision.” genuine fire threats. Vaping, or because people vape in time for teachers, students, preventing disruptive or It can be inferred from construction, and students

BY NATALIE GROSS the bathroom,” said Vera and potentially dangerous Blatt’s response that the pulling the alarm are indeed administrators. staff writer Libova Gomes, another Additionally, construction incidents on school school administration contributing factors to the freshman at BHS. “My on premises.

Ultimately, it treats false alarms with high number of false fire BHS campus is With the new school teachers usually tell me why another common cause. ensures the well-being and consideration, involving alarms in our school. By year starting, Berkeley High it went off, and it’s usually Previously, education of students. a substantial number focusing on mental health this has School has already had students’ fault.”

“The BHS of collaborators in the support, infrastructure several fire alarms go off.

Students are, administration investigative process. By improvements, and Many students and teachers in fact, often is very prioritizing the need for ongoing education, our “I think the fire alarm goes off a lot assume that the cause of the cause of fire concerned of discipline and responsible BHS administration aims because people pull it and don’t get these situations is students alarms. However, it the disruption behavior among students, to reduce false alarms caught.” pulling the alarm to get out isn’t solely students to teaching and administration is working and create a safer and of class. purposefully learning caused to prevent disruptions to more conducive learning “I believe the main causes pulling fire alarms by false alarm the learning environment, environment for all.

Vera Libova Gomes are the students pulling the to get out of class. evacuations and maintain safety protocols, “Fire alarms happen BHS freshman alarm to get out of class Fire alarms also is continuously and minimize unnecessary so frequently that, or just as a joke,” said Mia may be set off due working to interruptions to the unfortunately, they are not Kumar, a freshman at BHS. to vaping and smoking in included construction of the decrease these incidents,” educational process. taken very seriously,” said “I think the fire alarm the bathrooms. Vapor and Community Theater. said Blatt, “Some of However, since students Dawn Williams, a BHS goes off a lot because people smoke can trigger smoke “During my time at BHS, the actions we’ve taken are not the only culprits African Diaspora Dance pull it and don’t get caught detectors and waste school the most common reasons include working to educate of these alarm activations, teacher.

OPINION BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

opinion editors: Ysabel Chu & Ohad Aviran-Finkelstein

Extracurriculars lead to personal growth

BY AVA QUANDT staff writer

Getting into college is becoming harder and harder. With prestigious colleges often averaging less than a 10 percent acceptance rate, students may feel the need to take as many AP classes as they can and get the best grades possible in order to maximize their chances of acceptance. However, these ridiculous academic standards are preventing students from obtaining all that high school has to offer. Berkeley High School students should instead utilize their high school years to find extracurricular activities that interest them and benefit their personal growth.

The truth is that high school is a lot more than just academic school work.

While taking challenging classes is good, focusing on subjects that actually interest you is critical.

Furthermore, high school is about forming the skills needed for the rest of life, and you can’t just get that from doing academic work.

This is why extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, or even volunteer opportunities are extremely

crucial during these years of young adulthood.

Robbie Parker, a junior in Berkeley International High School (BIHS), talked about the social benefits extracurriculars bring.

“There’s no social aspect to doing solo academic work. And I think that’s probably one of the more important parts of high school, getting t o know people.

T h o s e relationships will last a lot longer, as the people skills you gain last a lot longer than what you learn from school,” said Parker.

Parker is a member of BHS crew, he works as a lifeguard, and he recently joined the Law Club at BHS. He believes that the extracurricular activities he participates in have a huge impact on his success in school and how motivated he is overall.

Extracurricular activities help students figure out what they are interested in, which can increase their likelihood of being

motivated in school. When students find an activity or subject that interests them, it can help them feel a sense of purpose or excitement for the future. Eamonn Kaufer, a junior in BIHS, agrees that participating in extracurriculars “makes (him) feel more productive.

I feel like I’m doing stuff.

It’s like

OREN STILES

I’m bettering myself outside of school and just learning new things.” Kaufer does Youth and Government, plays varsity water polo, and also works as a lifeguard.

These two examples don’t define all that extracurricular activities have to offer. While clubs and sports are great, volunteer opportunities

are very useful as well.

Volunteers find that they feel fulfilled themselves while also helping better the community. Over the summer, I went to Panama for four weeks and lived with a host family. My time this summer taught me a lot: Learning Spanish, cooking traditional foods, doing activities with kids, but most importantly it taught me so much about myself.

I feel that this experience really made me aware of all that is out there. In Panama, I practiced c om mu n i c at i on t h r o u g h untraditional forms, people skills, and learned how to be okay with feeling uncomfortable.

Extracurricular activities should not be undervalued.

While students should still put focus into academics, it is equally important for them to dive into their own interests. Students should think about who they want to be. Do you want to be someone who has perfect grades and scores, or do you want to be someone who participates in activities they love and betters their community while doing so?

Zero period offers valuable opportunities

BY ADITYA SRIDHARAN staff writer

The thought of zero period often elicits a sigh of frustration from the students of Berkeley High School.

Students may wonder if zero period, which involves waking up early and an additional hour of school, is really worth it?

However, after careful study, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Zero period presents a variety of opportunities that should not be ignored.

Zero period allows students to deepen their learning. By spending an extra two hours each week studying, students are able to explore content that would have otherwise gone unseen.

Additionally, during the school day, science classes can often be crammed with material, leaving little time for questions. Zero period offers a space for students to slow down, ask questions, and receive support.

Studies have also shown that more class time can

strengthen test results. The Massachusetts Department of Education conducted a study in 2006 which revealed that a 25 percent increase in the school day could improve test scores up to 10 percent While zero period does not increase the school day by that much, the same principle may be applied.

In zero period, students also have the opportunity to participate in labs and experiments. These experiences solidify concepts while teaching different scientific skills.

According to the American Chemical Society, students who engage in hands-on laboratory experiences develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. In addition, labs also cultivate an environment in which students must collaborate in order to succeed, teaching teamwork skills. While labs are educational, they are also fun and novel to students.

Amidst stressful exams and textbook readings, zero period labs offer a more active and enjoyable way to

study science.

However, zero period is not without its nuances and downsides. Waking up earlier can affect students' sleep patterns and also contribute to caffeine dependence. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that youth between the ages of 13-18 get around eight to 10 hours of sleep every night. Getting enough sleep on zero period days can difficult, and something that is often not entirely realistic. However, for the majority of science classes, zero period is a biweekly occurrence. This

means that studentswake up earlier twice a week. With solid time management, the sleep obstacles of zero period can easily be mitigated.

Zero period may cast an intimidating shadow onto students, yet when one looks closely, the educational benefits it provides are impossible to ignore. By deepening learning, improving test results, giving opportunities to gain support, and providing enjoyable lab experiments, zero period offers an incredible amount to BHS’s student body.

ANNA HOWELL

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

5

YSABELCHU@STUDENTS.BERKELEY.NET

HOW I SEE IT: NEURODIVERSE AT BHS KARIM MELEIS

Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed by all the sensory stimuli around me, such as slamming doors, shrieks of laughter, overhead light bulbs, and blaring music. I’ve always wondered why other people can just tune out bright lights and loud sounds. How do they do it? Why can’t I? Sensory overload is a mental health condition that often affects neurodiverse people. It occurs when the five senses intake more information than the brain can process at one time. Its symptoms include anxiety, headaches, and fear. It can also impact sleep.

When I started middle school, I found the crowded hallways and sounds of hundreds of conversations to be really stressful. I tried ignoring the endless barrage of sounds, but that didn’t work. I felt hopeless for a time and started to blame myself for my challenges.

Fortunately, I realized that it’s possible to deal with sensory overload in a healthy way, and I discovered some helpful strategies.

1. Use noise-canceling headphones. A pair of them can help to block out unwanted noises.

Many students at Berkeley High School have found them to be helpful such as Nikolas Lasiewski, a junior in Academic Choice.

Lasiewski said, “When things get too loud, I just slip on my noise canceling headphones and things get instantly better.” They can be a shield against excessive sensory stimuli. They have helped Nikolas, and they can help you too.

2. Identify your triggers. Sensory overload can affect everyone differently. Some people may be triggered most often by sounds, others by flashing lights or large crowds. By knowing what causes your sensory overload, you will be better able to utilize strategies to manage it and can more easily avoid the situations that are likely to cause it.

3. Try mindfulness and meditation.

Meditating just five minutes in the morning can help you to focus and will reduce the impact of distracting stimuli. There are many different online tools that can help you meditate. It has helped me with my sensory overload and it can also be beneficial to anyone struggling with sensory overload.

4. Employ guided imagery. One of the most useful techniques to deal with sensory overload is to imagine a calm place in your mind. It can be anything that you want it to be. For example, you might imagine a peaceful beach or going on a walk in nature. When you are feeling overwhelmed with sensory stimuli, imagine yourself in that place. Soon, you’ll feel much calmer.

If you experience sensory overload, know that you are not alone. It may seem like it will never end, but there are ways to deal with sights, sounds, and smells that may overwhelm you. I hope that you’ll give one of these strategies a try. Sending positive vibes your way!

6 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023 EDITORIAL

Gender imbalance within BHS classes must be addressed In certain Berkeley High School classrooms, the number of male students far exceeds the number of non-male students. There are many historical and systemic factors that cause this issue. “From a young age, guys are told they can do a lot more and society gives them a lot more self assurance. … I feel like girls underestimate their abilities a lot or underestimate how smart they are,” said BHS senior Itta Behrman, when talking about the reasons behind the gender imbalance in certain BHS classes. Behrman is currently enrolled in AP Physics C, where a whopping 83 percent of students are male. This trend throughout certain classes at BHS is unacceptable.

When non-male students are a minority in a classroom, it can make them uncomfortable in the class and therefore create a difficult learning environment. “It's less like outward comments, and it's more the passing things that accumulate,”

OPINION

said Elisa Highton, a BHS senior who is also one of the few girls taking AP Physics C. Additionally, when non-male students know that a class is male dominated, it may deter them from picking the class in the first place when selecting their classes. This creates a vicious cycle that exacerbates the problem.

This issue can be observed in highschool classes, but the impacts reach much further. The classes that students choose to take in highschool affect the paths they choose to take in higher education and their careers. “I want to go into a field where I know there will be other people that respect me and just given what I've heard about certain STEM fields, it's made me not want to go into them because I know for a fact I will be facing (sexism),” said Highton. This results in women having less representation in certain career fields. According to the American Association of University Women, women only make up about one third of the STEM workforce.

Although this phenomenon is widely observed in STEM classes, it can be found in other subject areas as well. At BHS, the class Politics and Power has a ratio of about two male students to every non-male student. “Right away, I recognized the disparity in the sign ups from the previous teacher who I inherited the class from,” said Joseph Poppas, who teaches the class. “So I tried to make a really strong effort to get the gender imbalance under control,” said Poppas.

“I think the biggest issue is that we just pretend it doesn't exist at Berkeley High,” said Highton. When teachers and admin fail to

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address the issue, it creates an even more isolating environment for the few non-male students in the class.

While the issue is systemic and has been consistently present throughout history, there are actions that teachers can and should take to improve the experience of non-male students in male-dominated classes. Poppas expressed the importance of acknowledging the disparity “in an open way … with a lot of transparency” to ensure that “women are feeling like they can openly contribute.”

“I try really to go out of my way to make sure that, especially in the politics class, that we tackle things like mansplaining or the male answer syndrome head on,” said Poppas. If more teachers follow this model, many more non-male students could feel better supported.

Another action the administration should take to combat this problem is to specifically advertise classes that have been historically male-dominated to non-male students. This would ensure that non-male students who want to take those classes are made aware of them. “Encouraging all students to take classes they want helps chip away at such a large societal issue,” said Behrman. Every year, Poppas tries to get “women to help recruit other women.” This word of mouth creates a positive reputation for these classes, which is effective in getting more women to sign up for the class.

Ultimately, teachers hold the power to work on fixing these systemic imbalances, and through this, non-male students can seek the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

Having social media too early can harm youths' mental health

BY RIGZIN GYALTSEN staff writer

Social media. You have it, your siblings have it, your mom has it. At this point, your dog probably has its own Instagram. However, despite it's massive popularity, social media can cause great harm to youth.

Therefore young people's use of social media should be limited.

Apps like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube are wildly popular with teens. According to a 2022 Pew Research Center study, 95 percent of teens have used YouTube, 67 percent have used Tiktok, and 62 percent have used Instagram.

However, several researchers are now saying that social media is unhealthy for teens.

Dr. Bryn Austin, the Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, said that, “image-based platforms like Instagram—have very harmful effects on teen mental health, especially for teens struggling with body image, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.” Even the owners of Instagram know this. According to an article by the Guardian, a slide from an internal presentation in 2019 stated, “We make body image issues worse for one in three teen girls.”

People on social media post their best moments: their best angles, their best expressions, their best experiences. Social media creates an unrealistic picture of a person’s life, which can foster unhealthy comparison and decrease

self-esteem.

This is especially harmful for young people who are still figuring out who they are and what their life should look like.

Additionally, social media breeds cyberbullying. Social media platforms create an open space for cyberbullies.

Creating private accounts, or “burners” (accounts for which the user remains anonymous) and then commenting, messaging, or posting hateful remarks is very easy. Cyberbullying has been proved to lead to depression, anxiety, and even worse, suicide. A Pew Research Center study found that 59 percent of teens using social media have been cyber-bullied, whether it be having explicit images of them shared without consent, physical threats, or offensive remarks.

The teenage brain is very susceptible to the negative impacts of social media.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls planning, prioritizing, and solid decision making, isn’t fully developed until a person’s mid-to-late 20s.

This makes teens more likely to engage in risky behaviors, which can be

encouraged by social media.

The lack of full development in the prioritizing and planning part of the brain may also make teens more prone to procrastination of important tasks in favor of the endless scrolling on social media.

Just at Berkeley High School alone, thousands of teens have social media and network amongst each other. There are things like BHS Snapchat groups, BHS Instagram accounts, and much more. Searching up friends, finding mutuals, asking for homework help on Instagram, these things happen all the time. Would BHS even look the same without social media? But despite all the good things social media can create, the cons still outnumber the benefits.

Social media plays a huge role in the modern world, so of course it influences younger generations. This is not always healthy. Social media can paint a false and dangerously perfect picture of what other people’s lives look like, as well as increase the risk of cyberbullying. In order to avoid harm on these platforms, youth should be cautioned to avoid or limit social media until they’ve fully matured.

LUCIA RADILLO

OPINION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

7

Students late due to public transit should not be marked tardy

BY SABINE ROSEN staff writer

It’s not easy to be in your seat at 8:30 a.m. sharp every morning when the bell rings.

There’s a lot to do before school each day, and being marked tardy because your AC Transit bus or BART train ran late is never a good start to a day. In the mornings, students walk, bike, take the bus, get driven, or use a different type of transportation to get to school. Some of these ways are more reliable than others, but not every option is available to all students. If students live farther away from school and no one is available to give them a ride, AC Transit public buses are a great resource to get to school.

Unfortunately, AC Transit buses run late at times, causing students to be late to class. On the occasion that public

YEARS OF PLANNING

transit runs late, students should not be punished and marked tardy.

In Berkeley Unified School District middle schools and elementary schools, there are school buses that are available for young students to take in the mornings.

According to the BUSD Transportation Department, on the rare occasion that a school bus arrives late, the school gets notified of the late arrival and the students on the bus get excused from their tardiness.

On the other hand, high school students who use the public transit system in place of school buses are not excused.

Some students choose not to take AC Transit in the mornings because they are scared of arriving late if the bus is not on time. AC Transit is a wonderful tool to help everyone get to school, but since it isn’t always on time, it makes students second guess their choice

OF NEW HOMES

FT LONG

of riding on their busses.

If students knew that even if it was running late they would not be marked tardy, then it’s like that more students would utilize this resource.

It is not everyone’s first choice to take the AC Transit’s public bus services or BART trains to get to school. Some students would love to get a ride or live close enough that they can walk to school, but that is not an option for everyone. This system is unjust and needs to be altered because it is not the students’ fault.

This is exactly why a new system that allows students who take public transportation and arrive late to have their tardies rescinded should be implemented.

Some people might say that this will lead to students taking buses and trains that they know are going to arrive late to school and using that as an excuse every day.

They think that this will

THE NUMBER OF TRAINS

Many BHS students take AC Transit buses to school daily.

lead to countless students arriving late every day and getting away with it, but this will not be the case. Students who take buses that are scheduled to drop them off late should not be excused.

Students should only be excused if the bus or train they take normally gets them there on time and

Ashby BART’s new energy substation plan harms locals CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

would consist of a 180foot long and 15-foot tall facility, surrounded by a 10-foot wall. The station would take up nearly all of the space between the station concourse and the intersection of Adeline St. and Ashby Avenue, as well as provide pedestrians with a 10-foot wall where they hoped for convenient retail and vibrant spaces.

Locals may also experience an added layer of disappointment and distrust in the BART organization when it is realized that BART representatives have been attending public meetings and backing the housing project for years, despite having a more selfserving agenda.

The power station itself does provide benefits for BART functionality and infrastructure. The added resources allow over double the amount of trains to run, as well as more reliability

and ambitious expansions in the future. Though more public transport is certainly beneficial, it is nowhere near as necessary as housing, and seems to be more motivated by financial gain for the company. It has been proposed by the public and various Berkeley officials that BART should build the station on another parcel of BART-owned land, or any place where the construction wouldn’t impact the housing plan, but BART has committed to no such move.

The South Berkeley community is not easily succumbing to this change, with organizations such as South Berkeley Now! raising awareness about the situation and making known ways that one could help, such as writing letters to the City Council and attending public meetings. Despite active rebuttal, BART executives are refusing to let go of the power station plan, arguing that it provides the

company with necessary revenue that the proposed developments would not.

Some community members are arguing that the city should stop trying to negotiate with BART and instead make compromises on the power substation’s location, as it is not worth holding up the construction of housing.

The housing plan brought a lot of hope to those in the Berkeley community, with many seeing it as a feasible way to combat the city’s large and continuously growing homeless population and bring renewed life to the space.

It’s truly a disappointment to see all of this dismissed by the company’s board of executives in favor of monetary gain. The lack of willingness to compromise for the well-being of the residents of Berkeley clearly presents important insight into the values of the major Bay Area transportation corporation.

happens to run late on that occasion.

It’s time to stop penalizing students for something that is out of their control. BHS students are already managing a lot simply by having to catch their buses and trains every day and get to school on time.

A policy allowing kids

who take public transit to get relieved from a tardy in the morning would vastly aid student attendance records and academic success. AC Transit is an excellent resource for students to use to get to school, and this change would help promote access and better support BHS students.

Online thrifting creates a pathway to a more ethical fashion industry

BY AVHA MEISELS staff writer

ANJA BALL

ATTICUS LABANG

In recent years, our community has witnessed the rise of online thrifting.

Companies like Depop, Thredup, and TheRealReal have gained immense popularity as interest in buying second hand clothes has spiked. These companies allow people to shop online for unique pieces without leaving the comfort of their home and hunting through thrift stores in person. Although online thrifting is not perfect, and has received backlash, it is a great stepping stone to developing a more environmentally conscious fashion industry.

One aspect of online thrifting that has attracted many individuals is how it gives a wide range of people access to a more select group of clothing that is tailored to their style. Online thrift stores allow these people to

search for exactly what they want, and most likely find it, no matter where they live.

In addition, online thrift stores have encouraged more people to buy second hand. People are more likely to do something if it is easier and more convenient. Since thrifting online is significantly easier than thrifting in person, more people have started to buy second hand. The United Nations named the fashion industry the second largest polluter in the world, and making new clothes involves tons of water and energy. Therefore, buying used clothes is remarkably better for the environment than buying new ones.

It is true that online thrifting has its issues.

Shipping these clothing items to places all over the world has a negative impact on the environment, an issue that needs continued attention and improvement.

However, in terms of its environmental impact and

Depop is a popular online thrifting platform.

LILA HALLWARD

accessibility, the overall benefits of online thrifting outway the downsides.

Online thrifting allows people to make money selling their clothes, rather than just throwing them out.

Although the transportation aspect of online thrifting is harmful, the overall impact on the earth is lower than buying brand new clothes. As long as people continue working to navigate the balance between sustainability and convenience, online thrifting is a great starting point. By giving people access to a wider selection of second hand clothes, we can reduce the demand for new clothing production, which would significantly shrink our environmental footprint. Extending the life of existing garments is an amazing way to improve our relationship with buying clothes and the fashion industry.

It’s unrealistic to expect people to completely cut out their carbon footprint, and never purchase clothes.

But it is possible to improve the amount of emissions we create through buying clothing. Although thrifting in person remains the most eco-friendly way of thrifting, by continuing to find different ways to make thrifting more accessible, we empower people to make more sustainable choices and reduce their environmental impact.

8

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

INVESTIGATIVE

INVESTIGATIVE EDITOR: JOSEPHINE MORASKY

JOSEPHINEMORASKY@STUDENTS.BERKELEY.NET

CONTENT WARNING: Contains descriptive language around gun violence

BHS gun safety: An ongoing issue that must be addressed in and pleaded guilty to the suggestions along with a staff officers were added to the 14 that federal crime. In 2011, within training called A.L.I.C.E, also were on campus last year. Having a two and a half month period, known as Alert, Lockdown, upgraded safety cameras, as well BHS encountered six different Inform, Counter, Evacuate for as more of them around campus, incidents involving students the following 2011-2012 school has also been a discussion, bearing firearms on or near the year. according to Dan Smuts, the BHS On Wednesday, Sept. 27, school's campus.

School Safety Committee 2023, two guns were found in After the 2011 incidents, vice chair.

“The Safety Committee represents an separate Berkeley High School the Superintendent's Ad In Segre’s eyes, opportunity to do something in order to students' backpacks.

“The Hoc Safety Committee, after the 2022 incident, address pressing issues like safety.” response was pretty swift and a temporary committee BHS can also work to comprehensive,” said Enikia designed to solve problems improve their level of Ford Morthel, Berkeley Unified “as needed” within the Liliana Cardil, BHS Safety Committee Reporter transparency as well School District’s superintendent. district, responded to these as additional support “Our staff engaged with the series of incidents with for the student body's students, and they were able eleven main recommendations: For students and parents alike, mental health. to find the weapon and then increased safety officer staffing, being safe on campus is crucially “We only found out that they proceed with next steps and additional Berkeley Police important, and something that were handling it like a week after consequences. That was the case Department school resource the school and district have it happened,” Segre said. “So for both students involved.” officers, gun violence prevention been working to achieve. Every I kind of wish there was more According to Ford, in education, stricter visitation year the BHS Safety Committee transparency surrounding that order to protect the privacy policies, more pro positive reevaluates and updates school but then I also realized (that) you of minors, the way the arms environment programs, regularly procedures and protocols want to protect the kid's privacy were found and who reported enforced closed campus times, including the 80 page school because he is a minor.” them remains undisclosed reduced entryways onto BHS, safety plan.

Segre continued; information. George Fornero, weapon screening, uniforms for Liliana Cardil, “I think that there's the BHS interim vice principal safety officers, required student the BHS Safety this culture around explained the importance Committee school shootings, of confidentiality to all R e p o r t e r especially at a school “It's really hard to deal with this and there's and BHS mom, parties involved. that hasn't experienced kind of no good answer ... especially on a explained the function “We keep it as one where it's like, oh, we confidential as possible student or teacher level. It goes all the way and goals of the committee. joke about this and like it's just ... (because a) kid is “The safety another day in America ... You up to the laws in the country.” taking a risk by telling committee represents kind of just have to joke to kind us something,” Fornero an opportunity to do of deal with how scary it is,” Segre Julia Segre, BHS junior said. “We want to support something in order to said. “You have to pretend it's that kid and then also address pressing issues like fine because that's how you stay anybody that's doing something identification badges, and, finally, safety,” Cardil said. “Part of the strong.” like that, we want to support that increased collaboration between committee's job is to try and have Although complete safety student too.”

BHS and the BPD. new ideas be told by the public against gun violence cannot be Julia Segre, a junior and SLAM After receiving these and heard by the district.” guaranteed, certain measures Spoken Word Club president, recommendations, the district In an attempt to make BHS can be implemented to make acknowledges the dualities of formulated a plan to safer, two violence less likely to happen. gun safety issues in the U.S. and implement safety Specifically, what schools do the complications it presents to t h e s e after experiencing an incident students and teachers alike. is incredibly important. Taking “It's really hard to deal with measures to help with the this and there's kind of no good aftermath of incidents on answer of how to deal with this, students can also help make especially on a student or it better. teacher level,” Segre said. “It “I'm not ... happy goes all the way up to the with how the admin laws in the country.” reacts to things like This month's gun this,” Segre said. incident isn’t the first “But I do think for BHS. In 2022, a at some level, BHS student who they're doing was plotting a pretty close to mass shooting and the best that bombing of BHS they can do with turned themselves the resources that they have.”

BY AÉLIA GYGER & JOSEPHINE MORASKY staff writer & Investigative editor

EXERPT FROM A POEM BY JULIA SEGRE BHS junior I wonder how many tears he shed When he turned himself in.

I wonder if his parents knew.

I wonder if no one had known, And no one tipped the police off, And no one missed school that day And the C building was

crushing in, Its walls and linoleum sweating, Thick thighs sticking to blue plastic seats, Dear Berkeley Unified

community, Pink bubblegum popping, They discovered parts to assault rifles,

J o r d a n s kicking the corners of desks, Attempted to recruit other high schoolers.

Pencils twirling into buns, because it’s Too goddamn hot in here.

The air turning acrid, like pickled beets, Like we were already dead, And the clock ticked towards lunchtime, AndI wonder if no one had made it out.

9 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

SPIRIT WEEK 2023

MONDAY SENIOR THEME: COUNTRY VS. COUNTRY CLUB

TUESDAY SENIOR THEME: ADAM SANDLER

SENIOR THEMES WEDNESDAY SENIOR THEME: BIKERS VS. SURFERS

MONDAY

TUESDAY

THEME: JERSEY DAY

THEME: BARBIE

PAGE DESIGN BY ELLA CREANE AND REBECCA BIRENBAUM

WEDNESDAY

THEME: ANYTHING BUT A BACKPACK

PHOTOS BY MEI SAPHIR, SANAM ROZYCKI-SHAH, ZIVA AMENDOLA, JAHAN INGRAHAM, MADELEINE WILSON, NOLAN WHITEHILL, KAI HANSCHEN, ZOE KOHLMEYER, AND MALINA MEISSNER

10 F R I D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 2 3 THE PERFECT BITE: PIXIU MALA HONGTANG CLEMENTINE UHLANER

While Berkeley’s range of cuisines and restaurants is incredibly diverse, Oakland reaches an entirely new level with an even broader selection. Moving somewhat away from our immediate most familiar landscape (Berkeley), sits one of my favorite neighborhoods for food, Temescal.

Specifically, I’d like to highlight the few blocks of Telegraph Avenue in the heart of this neighborhood, filled to the brim with option after option of different cuisines.

Arguably, Telegraph Ave. is one of the most influential streets to find food in the East Bay. Stretching from UC Berkeley’s campus to 15th St. and Broadway, it’s the ultimate culinary connector between Berkeley and Oakland. This one street features food from Italian to Vietnamese to Puerto Rican.

Although especially in the Temescal area, I’ve found more Korean restaurants than anywhere else in the East Bay. Like most, I’ve had my fair share of Korean Barbecue and Stews but recently I’ve noticed more Korean Malatang popping up around the area.

Although Malatang originates in Sichuan, Pixiu Mala Hongtang is unmistakably Korean.

Upon walking through the door, you’re greeted by a stack of tongs and bowls and you make your way down the line, through each topping station. The choices range from noodles and fishcakes to mushrooms and vegetables. I tend to gravitate towards the skewers and specialty items, like cheese filled rice cakes, but you definitely can’t go wrong with any combination. When you complete your bowl, you find your way to the front where the price of your bowl is determined by weight. They offer an option of either soup or stir fry with optional beef or lamb and adjustable spice level.

This is exactly why I love Malatang, it’s so customizable and the combinations are endless. Everything is made to order and you’re able to create your perfect meal based on exactly your preferences and mood. It’s so entertaining and convenient, and definitely my go-to spot when I need something that truly suits my taste.

Before coming across the opening of this restaurant, I had only encountered Malatang in the South Bay, so I assume that it’s a relatively new concept in our area. However, the idea of self-serve restaurants has become far from uncommon recently. Aside from the usual buffets or IKEA cafeteria lines, one off restaurants with more customizable features have become increasingly prevalent.

Especially after the world has begun its post-COVID-19 recharge, it’s nice to see these places popping up everywhere. Hot pot places are a great example of this trend, each aspect of your food is decided by a simple check mark. Ultimately, I think It’s a much quicker and convenient way for these restaurants to prepare and deliver personalized food and I look forward to its expansion in the East Bay.

FEATURES

BHS librarians: A busy day in the life

BY KIMIA AZDAPUR staff writer

“One of the things about being a school librarian is that every day is different,” said Allyson Bogie, the newest addition to Berkeley High School’s library. “It’s unusual to have a job that’s challenging and engaging and also so diverse over the course of the day.” The contributions of Bogie and Meredith Irby to the library are varied and unique, and may be underappreciated.

Librarians don’t have a typical daily routine. A big part of how their day goes depends on what classes they have scheduled to come to the library.

“We’re usually doing a mix of teaching independent reading lessons or activities so they talk about genres and how to select books that are a good fit for them,” said Irby, “Other classes we do research lessons or something around media literacy.”

“One of the things we try to say as teacher librarians is that we’re not just here to check out books, because what would be the point of having a teaching credential if we are just doing that,”

said Bogie.

Both librarians try to accommodate student recommendations so that the library can have an expansive collection which students and faculty will enjoy. “We really try to be responsive to what our students are into.” said Irby, “I do a lot of book talks on TikTok … so I have a clearer sense of what students are going to be asking for.”

The least enjoyable aspect of their jobs is when they have to be disciplinarians to students trying to skip class. “Having to be in a role of policing … (students) around passes is not that fun. It’s my least favorite part of the job,” Irby said.

Bogie is new to BHS and is trying to get to know everyone. “For me being new, getting to know everybody at Berkeley High has been just something that I’m working on,” said Bogie, “Students and teachers, you know, there’s like 200 or more adults who work here.”

“I feel like so much of life and work is based on relationships,” said Irby, “(and) when you’re still building relationships with people, it can be challenging to get to a point where you (can) … work

Meredith Irby checks out Chromebooks to students.

collaboratively, effectively.”

The library supplements its staff with student proctors. Senior Ronan Cotter is the library proctor in second period. “My role as a proctor is to assist … the primary librarians,” he says, “I do a lot of things that they do … But generally speaking, you’ll find me behind the front desk or out shelving books.”

Cotter maintains the organization of books by placing them in their specific section. They mainly use the Dewey Decimal System which assigns books to categories marked by a numerical system.

“We have a lot of books … it’s really difficult to find enough room…so the (Dewey Decimal) system has proven itself to work the best,” said Cotter.

As a result of being a proctor, Cotter is enjoying

SANAM ROZYCKI-SHAH

a relaxing senior year compared to what he went through his junior year. “I’d recommend that any student that reaches their senior year to definitely consider the idea of proctoring,” he said. “It’s an experience that allows you to get some insight into the back areas of the school system.”

The library offers lots of special events. “We collaborate a lot with the Central Berkeley Public Library, so we take all of our ninth graders to the teen room,” said Bogie. They are also hosting their first ever library Comic Convention on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Another project that the library hosts and organizes is author visits. Recently, author Thien Pham visited the library, and there are at least three more authorvisits planned to come soon.

Latin club prepares to attend convention

BY CLARA TJEN staff writer

Berkeley High School Latin teacher John Piazza runs and organizes the BHS Latin Club. Students have found it fosters a safe and very close community, as they are all able to bond over having one thing in common; they are all learning or are interested in the unique language, Latin.

Most students join the Latin Club because the Latin teacher, John Piazza, enthusiastically encourages them to. “Mr. Piazza often talks about it. He advertises it to every single Latin student,” said Tim Samba, a BHS junior and a student in Latin 3. Samba did not end up joining the club until

his sophomore year at BHS, but shared that he also loves the way the class is built in general. “(Mr. Piazza) gives you the materials you can use to further your own learning.

He doesn’t want to enforce this rigid curriculum, like a lot of more traditional Latin teachers,” Samba said.

Others agreed with this appreciation for Piazza’s refreshing teaching style.

Sophia Novick-Prucher, a BHS junior and secretary of the Latin Club said, “We sing a song in Latin every week. As you get into later stages, we read a lot … We basically just have so much Latin that we experience and talk about and see everyday that you start to inherently understand more of the grammar and how the

(Left to right) Owen Novic-Prucher, Arrow Glickrieman, Andy MendelezGarcia, Sophia Novic-Prucher, Oliver Hufford, Tim Samba, and Julia Brimmer show off Latin books and a Julius Caesar bust. GEORGIA PAULOS

language works.”

This way of learning Latin differs from programs at some other schools because Piazza takes a very modern and inclusive approach to teaching the language and developing the environment of the club.

“Many Latin Club leaders I’ve encountered (at other schools) really have their eyes on leadership experience for college applications,” Piazza said.

“Our students can do all that too, but we don’t really have that ‘college resume’ vibe, so to speak. As a teacher and a scholar, I have tried to model for my students a vision of academic excellence that is curiosity-driven and noncompetitive, because it can get very toxic, and a lot less fun.”

The club strives to be accepting and welcoming, while allowing the students to gain a deeper understanding of Latin and the ancient Mediterranean world. They organize and attend many different events including weekly gatherings, potlucks, and even state conventions.

This November, the Latin Club is representing BHS at a convention organized by the California Junior Classical League.

Novick-Prucher

said, “The JCL (Junior Classical League), in general has a pretty unfortunate long history of being problematic because it’s (an) older group of people who really are valuing the classics and the way things were in Mediterranean society …

Everytime we go, we kind of try to push the needle just a little bit.”

Attendees of the convention get to participate in a variety of fun activities at the convention, including a Latin based trivia competition, jousting on top of a bouncy house, art competitions, Latin lectures, karaoke in Latin, chariot racing, and much more.

Something that keeps the Latin Club members returning to Latin Club each and every year is the tightknit community it provides.

“Latin Club gives students access to a really tight and supportive, yet openminded and inclusive community,” Piazza said. “Many of them are academically successful, but our gatherings have a more casual or playful feel, even when we are taking care of official business.” He says that the club provides students a sense of belonging and the experience of a judgment-free setting.

F R I D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 2 3 11

FEATURES

Serial arsonists and mystery rooms: Unraveling BHS’ secrets

BY CARINA THOMAS staff writer

“How much of this school is underground? ... Is there like … more classrooms down there?”

- Joaquin Eyzaguirre Sherwood (BHS freshman)

“ What happened to the B building?”

- Layla Cao (BHS sophomore)

As a n institution established in 1800, over two centuries ago, Berkeley High School certainly has a rich and interesting history. Because of this, there is no doubt that new and old members of the BHS community would want to know more about the school’s mysterious aspects, all the way down to its physical structures.

“The C Building has a mystery room, G has a few, H has at least one,” said Moana Comitre-Rojas. “Definitely some doors back there I ain’t seen behind before,” added Leo Gillum-Brown, also a BHS senior.

From beneath the Jacket Stadium bleachers to mystery ladders inside BHS’s buildings, the historical site remains a place for students to explore and investigate.

BHS campus currently includes the buildings A, C, D, G, H, and J. The no-longer existing B Building stands out due to the haunting event that led to its destruction in April of 2000.

“The B Building got set on fire,” says Sena Nagaoka, a current BHS senior.

The B Building stood on what is now the school’s campus green. Administrative offices, the school library, and many classrooms were burned down and destroyed–luckily, nobody was injured in the event.

Many believe the fire to be an act of arson because from 1999 to 2000, there was 24 fires on BHS’s campus, from trash can fires to burned English textbooks, suggesting that BHS was being tormented by arsonists. Three students were caught setting fires that year.

The reign of fires came to an end following the B Building fire, but the identity of the notorious BHS arsonist who may have burned down the B building remains unknown to this day.

Any other burning questions you’d love to see The Jacket answer? Email mateotsai@students.berkeley.net

ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARTIN WAGNER, PHOTO BY ZOE KOHLMEYER

Best places to study in Berkeley which enables me to focus on my work. On a day with nice weather, it’s an ideal study location, even near good food Choosing a place to study options,” said Jokela. is a very important decision, B H S a l s o prov i d e s a setting the tone for the entire few study spots of its own. studying session. Making sure F o r i n s t a n c e , Mu j a h i d the atmosphere is cozy enough prefers to study in t he to be able to get work done, R I S E ( R e s p o n s i b i l i t y, but not so comfortable Integrity, Strength, that one no longer Empowerment) has the motivation office, describing the “It’s nice ... to be surrounded by to study is a tricky atmosphere as quiet, books while you’re working on balance to achieve. So, spacious, and easy here are what some to focus in. Another stuff.”

Berkeley High School space commonly used community members for studying by BHS Kayla Hess look for when it comes students is the College BHS senior to finding the perfect and Career Center spot to sit down with (CCC). a computer or some “I have a specific textbooks and grind it out. notebooks, and the other spot at the CCC where I can “I think a good place for people studying or working face away from big groups studying is a non-chaotic area there are focused,” said Jokela. … I like the resources there,” in a space that has enough But for those who don’t said Adea Hansen-Whistler, a room for studying material,” like to be inside, Jokela senior at BHS. Jokela also likes said Haleemah Mujahid, a recommends Live Oak Park. to study at the CCC because BHS senior. This sentiment “The open grassy fields of how quiet it is and the was echoed by many of her with intermittent trees and resources it makes available. peers, including Meilin Jokela, spots of shade provide a calm They also find it’s “a great place another BHS senior. Jokela and soothing environment to get help from peers, or go to

BY SHANZA SYED staff writer

added that it’s much easier to study in an environment when other people are also studying, as there are fewer distractions. As such, one of their favorite places to study is the Downtown Berkeley Peet’s Coffee and Tea. “The open tables give a lot of space to lay out your papers and

A group of students study in the College and Career Center.

study with someone else.”

On the other hand, BHS senior Kayla Hess enjoys studying at the North Branch Library, where she’s been going since childhood. “It’s a bit nostalgic,” she said, “It’s always really quiet there and there’s these really big desks you can spread your stuff out on. It’s also just nice to be surrounded by books while you’re working

on stuff.”

Hansen-Whistler agreed, saying they prefer secluded areas of libraries that are free of distractions.

BHS and Berkeley as a whole are bursting with places to study, which is beneficial to the many students who find that studying away from home is the only way to get things done.

TOSCANA GIRARD MAXON

Not only are there “fewer dist rac t ions or ways to procrastinate,” but there is also “the reward of getting to go home when you’re done,” said Hansen-Whistler.

“The greatest benefit is not having to worry about people walking in and out of my room or like someone asking me to do something mid-study,” added Mujahid.

ENTERTAINMENT

12 F R I D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 2 3

BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS: KAIYA JORDAN & SIMON POLICY

CONSENT: HOW WE CAN DO BETTER ANNABELLE ARMSTRONG-TEMPLE

My freshman year, a new Title IX Coordinator, Jasmina Viteskic, was hired. She immediately brought about many changes, often ones suggested by students. This was a change from past years, where student voices were often tossed aside. We also have clubs like Berkeley High School Stop Harassing and Sexual Health Information for Teens, which present about consent to students. It’s undeniably important to have conversations about consent in high school, but it shouldn’t start at sex. To shift the culture around sexual harm, we need to teach consent education early.

This means starting with basics. Consent applies to hugs from friends and family, a kiss on the cheek from that aunt, or even making sure that everyone wants the food you’re getting. It’s parents not tickling their kids when they say no, and kindergarteners not always having to share their toys. In more recent years, it’s been asking before removing your mask. All of that is called everyday consent, which sets up boundaries.

Teaching boundaries doesn’t have to be complicated. I’m not expecting little kids to get a lesson on how they need to be perfectly empathetic, and immediately understand what a person needs. That’s not what consent is. Instead, I’m suggesting more trainings for teachers of younger grades about how to model everyday consent. Some examples of this are learning how to talk about verbal consent versus non verbal consent.

It’s important to teach people to ask before they give a hug, and learning how to say sorry in a way that is genuine. This makes sure that kids have a way to effectively communicate.

It also provides an understanding of how healthy relationships are built and maintained.

Learning consent early will improve relationships and take the shame out of asking for help.

As kids get older, the models can then become more complex. Eventually, people should get puberty education and sex education. By getting education on everyday consent earlier on, teens will have a framework for healthy relationships.

If you need help talking about any form of consent violation, it could be helpful to reach out to a teacher, counselor, or another trusted adult. It’s okay to ask for help navigating a conversation with someone about non-sexual issues, such as how you want them to ask before touching your hair. Viteskic’s room is open on Mondays and Fridays, located in H-209F, for assistance in reporting sexual harm on campus.

By normalizing everyday consent, we can make the conversations we have about sexual consent more effective. Don’t pressure people to do things they don’t want to, from hugs to substances to sex. Be safe, have fun, and talk about your boundaries.

KAIYAJORDAN@STUDENTS.BERKELEY.NET

Concert prices skyrocket, is it still worth it?

BY AMAR WALKER staff writer

The prices of concert tickets have been significantly increasing in the past years, and it’s getting to a point that is ridiculously expensive. In the early 2000s, the average price of a concert ticket was under $50. However, in 2023, the average price is at an all time high, at prices over $250. Concerts such as the Eras Tour skyrocketed ticket pricing, making tickets nearly unattainable. Resellers take popular concerts like that as an opportunity to make millions, selling each ticket for thousands of dollars. The average resale price for an Eras Tour ticket was nearly $4,000 dollars, and the most expensive resale ticket sold for a whopping $35,000.

As overpriced as tickets can be, it hasn’t stopped many fans from attending the concerts of their dreams.

BHS students have reported spending from $200 to $6,000 on concert tickets, with multiple students that even spent over $1,000. But as popular as the musician they’re going to see may be, is spending that much money on a ticket justifiable?

Concerts can be a really rewarding experience.

People get to listen to music live from their favorite artist, in a stadium full of fans that feel the same way.

It’s loud, stimulating, and fun, and there’s often a sense of community within the crowd. However, as amazing and enjoyable the concert is, it doesn’t justify the thousands of dollars that it can cost.

In addition to the resellers, inflation is somewhat responsible for the general increase in cost.

As time moves on, ticket prices are going to rise and become more unrealistic.

But this increase is also due to the overall production value.

Nowadays, top artists perform in huge stadiums with giant screens and light shows. A lot of time and effort goes into the production, so it’s undoubtedly going to be expensive.

Despite the reasoning behind the high price, the ability to go to a concert should not be this expensive.

Having tickets that cost over a thousand dollars creates a huge barrier between the people who are able to go, and the people who can’t.

The problem with these massively produced shows is that it’s extremely unaffordable and unreasonable for many.

Even if people pay hundreds

of dollars, they get a nosebleed seat in the corner of a stadium. If people pay thousands of dollars, they get to stand in the pit with people who also spent thousands of dollars. This luxury might be possible for a big fan, maybe someone that has saved up, or cares a lot about seeing the musician live. But not everyone has the luxury to that choice. When it gets to such an extreme point, it’s really not worth it anymore.

And there are other options rather than dropping thousands of dollars to be in the pit.

Fans can get a similar experience for cheaper, with a less known artist and a more intimate venue. Newer musicians take any chance to perform live, and their

concerts are often much less expensive. There are venues in Berkeley, like the UC theater, that host concerts for lesser known artists.

As the costs of big concert tickets have gone up, there has also become many more ways to enjoy the music live. Live streams are more common, along with concert recordings that are available to anyone.

Then again, despite all of the possibilities, it might not be the same as seeing your favorite artist in real life.

Going to a concert creates lasting memories.

If you are willing to spend a lot of money, it can be a worthwhile experience. If it’s not in the budget, there are other opportunities that are cheaper but still rewarding.

JAY TRAUNER

Preconceptions of books vs. video games

BY SAM MASCARENHAS staff writer

While both books and video games are common sources of entertainment for teenagers, there is a discrepancy in the way they’re each seen. It’s a well known preconception that books are both entertaining and educational. Biblio Lifestyle reports that reading improves not only vocabulary but also benefits comprehension, critical thinking skills, and cognitive function.

Video games, however, are

often seen in a much more somewhat backed up by superiority of books is a part research, but the relationship of our culture. According to negative light.

“People think books are between violent video Fitzhugh, “more of us who better because they aren’t as games and “negative lasting have grown up with video visual,” said Jaymul Barot, effects” is complicated. games are not going to see a sophmore at Berkeley In 2020, the American the difference between video High School. “In games and books as video games, you better or worse.”

“People think books are better can see the violence, For this culture making children shift to occur, the because they aren’t as visual.” more exposed to benefits of video the gore of video games have to be well Jaymul Barot games.

Whereas stated. The Cleveland BHS sophomore books, if someone Clinic reported that is impaled, it doesn’t video games can have a lasting effect. But if Psychological Association improve focus, hand-eye a kid sees someone stabbed concluded that there is coordination, and brain in a video game, it tends a miniscule connection efficacy. to have a negative lasting between violent video game Benefits of video games effect.” Barot’s thoughts are use and aggressive behavior. are still being discussed.

According to a report from In 2019, The World Health the Royal Society Open Organization labeled “video Science journal, “current game addiction” as a mental research is unable to health disorder. The website support the hypothesis that Game Quitters states: “ ... violent video games have There can be positive effects a meaningful long-term ... (if used) in moderation ... predictive impact on youth There can also be negative aggression.” effects when played So are books a better excessively.” As for books form of entertainment than being better than video video games? BHS librarian, games, BHS sophomore Nicole Fitzhugh, said that Connor Arthur, says “it she didn’t agree. She noted depends on what people that the preconceived want.”

JAY TRAUNER

ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

13

Groundbreaking Scorsese film exposes historical injustices

BY HAILEY OSTRER staff writer

On Oct. 20 2023, “Killers of the Flower Moon”, starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Lily Gladstone, will begin showing in theaters. The Martin Scorsese-directed film is heavily based on a true story from Oklahoma in the 1920s, following a series of murders of the Osage people (a Native American tribe), over oil money. Martin Scorsese, who’s known for directing feature length narrative films and documentaries, is also known for his harsh depictions of American culture, and “Killers of the Flower Moon” is no exception.

“Killers of the Flower Moon” is an example of buried American history being unearthed; the murders are a crucial part of American history, and yet it’s widely unknown and rarely taught in schools to this day. It’s also one of the few out of thirty Martin Scorsese movies that has a female main character.

In 2017, author David Grann released a book by the same title that inspired the movie. It told the largely unknown story about the families of Osage people being murdered to take their oil rights. The book became a New York Times

bestseller, kicking off film production a year later.

The film adheres to the historical accuracy of the book, portraying real historical events and figures.

The Osage people (an indigenous tribe from what we know as Oklahoma) were relegated to land considered useless. In the 1920s, the “useless” land was discovered to be rich with oil, turning it into the most valuable property in the country.

The Osage people soon became some of the wealthiest people not only in the United States, but in the world, sending their children overseas for prestigious schools and living in mansions.

A Native American with this quantity of money was seen as a threat by the US government, giving way to laws that required a white person to manage the wealth. Osage women were forced to marry a white man to have any kind of control over their money. Osage men still had to have a white person approve all of their purchases.

Mysteriously, the Osage people began dying when they were perfectly healthy and young. This left many to believe the circumstances were not so coincidental, as these deaths provided the perfect conditions for Osage oil money to take.

Leonardo Dicaprio plays Ernest Burkhart, the nephew of business magnate William Hale (Robert De Niro). Burkhart is married to an Osage woman, Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), whose family is heavily affected by the murders. Mollie finds herself watching her people die right before her eyes; her sister vanishes and her mother and an Osage elder are poisoned. The production took place on Osage island. The film crew consulted the Osage nation chief, Geoffrey Standing Bear to make sure the wishes of the Osage nation were granted for this movie.

Though the movie hasn’t been officially released in theaters, it’s been widely reviewed. “It’s the closest thing he’s made to a genuine Western, which has caused it to be viewed less as a film than as a potential earth shaking event,” said David Fear from Rolling Stone magazine. It also premiered at the annual Cannes film festival, where it received a nine minute standing ovation. Finally, “Killers of the Flower Moon” has a 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

It’s safe to assume that “Killers of the Flower Moon” will expose a dark side of American history, serving as a grand finale for Scorsese’s career and revealing an important story.

NATALIA KASS

Three must-watch indie horror movies to add to your list LAKE MUNGO (2008) Filmed in a Documentary style, “Lake Mungo” starts with the death of a 16 year-old girl, Alice Palmer. As her family tries to come to terms with the loss and explain the eeriness that haunts their home, they begin to uncover dark truths about Alice’s life that she kept secret. The documentary style of this film enhances the chilling aspects of the story and makes it feel even closer to reality. This movie also sheds light on the complex relationship between Alice and her mother and the things they hid from each other. While the acting in the film leaves something to be desired, the composition of old photos and recreated home videos makes the film feel like a genuine true crime documentary. As we learn more and more about events leading up to Alice’s death, the movie continues to add depth to her identity, feeling all-too-real and eerie.

JACOB’S LADDER (1990)

PONTYPOOL (2008)

“Jacob’s Ladder” follows a Vietnam war veteran, Jacob Singer, who attempts to live a normal life once he comes home to the United States. Throughout this film, he finds himself experiencing intense hallucinations and paranoia stemming from his combat-induced PTSD. While on a mission to figure out what happened to him, Singer goes back and forth between timelines, distorting his sense of reality.

He sees otherworldly creatures at every turn, all the while grieving his passed son. The directing and shot compositions make you feel just as jumbled and confused as Singer does. As he’s on a mission to figure out what the government did to his mind during the war, everything he knows to be true is questioned. This movie displays Singer’s beautifully obscured and creepy version of reality. It also gives us a peek into the disgusting lengths that leaders go to in times of war, unhesitatingly stripping the humanity from soldiers.

This film focuses on a small-town Canadian radio station and the relationship between the host, Grant Mazzy, and the producer, Sydney Briar. Their day starts off as it normally does, when suddenly their average news reports take a dramatic turn. As Mazzy and Briar come to learn, the world is suddenly facing an inexplicable epidemic that’s infecting and killing hundreds within their town alone. The crew begins a desperate search for information while the virus slowly encroaches on them, all the while staying live for their listeners. Throughout the film, the eerie nature of this unknown plague unfolds in a way that is both disturbing and intriguing, keeping you at the edge of your seat. While there aren’t many jumpscares, this film is filled with shock value and gore that enhances the already creepy and suspenseful plot.

ART BY MANUEL GILABERT-PAPAGNI

BY RORY NADEAU staff writer

14 F R I D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 2 3

ENTERTAINMENT

Season four of ‘Sex Education’ is heartwarming and complex get to know the individual characters personally and feel that their circles come ‘full-close,’ simply because there isn’t enough time or The Netflix original, space for these circles to be “Sex Education” is back built. with its fourth Additionally, and final season. some of these However, with so many new And once again, characters seem creator Laurie characters being introduced, season to merely be the Nunn has executed four has flattened many aspects of ‘means to an end’ an emotionally for the original the story. complex storyline characters’ that not only storylines. Aisha, offers the characters the Season four brings both for example, one of the chance at closure, but excitement and pain to the newly introduced students draws in the reality of life’s screen. These characters from Cavendish, is deaf, and unexpectedness and new and their experiences her presence does little other change. highlight often unaddressed than develop Cal’s character This season returns to issues and thoughts that and remind people to look focus on fans’ familiar many teenagers may have, at her when they speak beloved characters, such as questions regarding so that she can read their including Maeve, Otis, sexuality and uncertainty lips. While these elements Eric, Aimee, Adam, Ruby, regarding relationships, and are both important, they and more. However, it also just like in the first three make her character and introduces a broad variety seasons, this one doesn’t the experiences she brings of new characters, settings, hold anything back when to the screen feel oneand dilemmas. Moordale doing so. dimensional. Aisha is not School has been shut down However, with so many the only example of this and sold. Maeve Wiley, new characters being in the final chapter of “Sex played by Emma Mackey, introduced, season four Education”. leaves for the US to start has flattened many aspects The new season at Wallace University. of the story. It’s hard to undoubtedly gives its

BY HANNAH GROTHREIDY staff writer

Adam (Connor Swindells) starts a job at the stables.

Meanwhile, Otis, Eric, Ruby, and Aimee have all started at Cavendish College: A new, very woke, and mainly student-led school.

THE CROSSWORD

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Exclamation of surprise, with “Well” 6. What the mitochondria powers 10. Unravel (as a cloth) 14. Eric Clapton girl (alternative spelling) 15. Actress Shawkat 16. What one might have done with a horse 17. “I’m good to go” 18. Also known as the Soviet Union 19. “What are the ___” 20. *Falling jazz standard? (Ed Sheeran, additionally)* 23. Medical personnel, informally 24. Blabber like a wild ox?

25. Ladybug prey 29. Fibonacci letter 30. Product of brainstorming 32. Buck’s partner 33. “____ alone!”

35. Absence of difficulty 36. *(With 38-across) Something fall brings (The Neighbourhood)* 38. *(See 36-across)* 41. Listen 42. Like a knight to a king 44. Like the head of a llama?

45. Computer consumer 47. Car theft, slangily (abbreviated) 48. Wise goddess 50. Beer variety 51. But, in text speak?

54. *Hope during fire season (Guns N Roses)* 58. “Mamma Mia!” group 61. Garfield’s rival 62. What’s celebrated on April 22 63. Police informant 64. 1996 NYC-set musical 65. Garden ceramic 66. Sour pie?

67. Botanist Mexia 68. ____ Pops (summer camp treat)

1. Homeric epic 2. Ring-tailed primate 3. Rattles off 4. Azure, in Paris 5. “If I’m wrong, I’ll ____” 6. Crack sealant 7. “Or ___” (empty threat, often) 8. Older Simpson daughter 9. Baby insects 10. Freshman, informally 11. Fishing tool 12. What you learn how to do in first-grade math 13. Oui, sí, ja, etc.

21. Innocent 22. Green govt. agency, informally 26. State of potatoes?

27. Medical measurement 28. Cassandra, for one 29. Apple alternative?

30. To be (regarding oneself) 31. Like grass in the early morning 33. Rope, for one 34. Author Stanley Gardner 35. Blues singer James 36. Skincare butter 37. Angry bump 39. American symbol 40. Clark Kent, to Superman 43. Either/___ 45. Four-colored card game 46. Opposite of a sweet 49. Make law 50. Aids and ____ 51. Fortune-telling card 52. “____ with your best shot” 53. “She did it _____ own behalf ” 55. Paradise 56. Candy heart phrase, with “be” 57. Tirade 58. Farmed insect?

—sound?

Raven Fonseca Jensen 59. Sheepish 60. What one might say when it’s 25 degrees outside

— Violet Kessler

IRIS LE LIBOUX

audience much to think and complex. beautifully depicted, and about. And while these Within the season, Maeve digs beneath the surface new characters may seem and Otis may seemingly just to reveal the complexities underdeveloped, as a whole, go back and forth between beneath. the cast of “Sex Education” ‘bickering’ and ‘making up’, As “Sex Education” has offers a window into the but this isn’t necessarily a aimed to do since day one, it true experiences of entering useless aspect of the show. doesn’t shy away from laying adulthood. There out the ugly, the is a lot of change painful, the joyous, that comes with As “Sex Education” has aimed to do and the beautiful. new beginnings, From meeting a since day one, it doesn’t shy away u s u a l l y from laying out the ugly, the painful, bedazzling God, unpredictable. to experiencing the joyous, and the beautiful.

People may come an emotionally and go. Tensions complex death, arise and are resolved, It highlights the reality of this new season is weirdness jumps out from being two different people heartbreaking, humorous, behind every corner, and navigating life. Eric’s inner and heartwarming, and is emotions become tangled turmoil with his faith is worth a watch.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

SASHA BALASUBRAMANIAN

Alix Campillo Quitano, a junior in Arts and Humanities Academy, uses unsettling imagery to express various aspects of his life and culture. His paintings, which frequently feature imagery of skulls and handprints, reflect his relationship with Catholicism and how his religion ties together with his Mexican ancestry. Through his art, Campillo Quitano expresses his feelings towards death and afterlife.

Campillo Quitano has been captivated by art for most of his life, and he started creating on a more serious level in middle school. While Campillo Quitano mostly paints, he also experiments with drawing and digital art. At the beginning of his career, he worked on realism before moving onto creative art and establishing his current art style. He works on his painting for one or two weeks, starting with a sketch before moving onto putting acrylic on canvas.

To achieve the eerie atmosphere we can see throughout his work, he uses dramatic shading and combines animal-like features with religious figures to make ordinary things feel almost foreboding.

Campillo Quintano credits the development of his abnormal art style to his sophomore year art teacher, Candiss Youngblood. He stated that, “Ms.Youngblood really gave me really positive feedback for (my artstyle) which I’m really grateful for ...

She has helped me overcome the whole ‘oh, my art sucks’ thing.”

Campillo Quitano’s art is an exploration of himself.

Although he gets inspiration from the world around him and other artwork, the feelings and messages of his art are a reflection of who he is as a person at a given time. “I just put religious stuff into it.

It reflects how I’m born into (religion) but I haven’t really grown into it in a way,” said Campillo Quitano. His striking artwork lets the viewer glimpse inside his mind, creating a surreal and dark artistic experience.

— Eva Dickinson

SPORTS

Athletes face health impacts of smoke days

BY SYDNEY LEHRER staff writer

A gray smoke cloud loomed over the Bay Area in mid-September, painting the sky gray and blocking the hills from sight. Wildfires in Northern California and Oregon sent smoke down to Berkeley, with air quality reaching 130 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) according to Berkeleyside, levels considered unhealthy for those with pulmonary conditions. As a result, many Berkeley High School sports practices were reduced in time and intensity, and some games were canceled in order to maintain the health of student athletes.

“I started coughing half of my lung out,” said Micaela Bedolla Garcia, a BHS sophomore who plays soccer. When the air started getting bad she instantly got worried, knowing that as a result of her asthma, her body wouldn’t react well to the smoke. She said that through most sports and physical activities at the time of the wildfires, her coughing increased.

Theodore Lam, a BHS sophomore who runs track and cross-country, spoke of his reduced motivation for running during poor air conditions, saying, “It’s not really worth racing because it slows you down so much.

(Running) feels terrible and it’s bad for your lungs.” He expressed worries about the long term effects of running and racing in such conditions.

Berkeley Unified School air quality that’s in the air quality drops. In terms of District’s policy for when kind of gets overridden by exercising, one study by AQI levels reach between the benefit of said physical Luisa V. Guiles, an assistant 101-150, as it did in activity.” For teenagers and professor at the University September, is to reduce children that’s not typically of Fraser Valley, indicated outdoor athletic practices the case. She theorized that when exercising in low to intervals of 30 minutes that the development air quality, working out for each at maximum, and to of one’s lungs may be at shorter periods at higher increase rest breaks. Many fault for them being more intensity is much healthier times, however, coaches will susceptible to the negative for your lungs and body than have to resort to canceling effects of air pollution, but doing so for a long period games in order of time at a lower to ensure intensity. When it the health of comes down to it, “It’s not really worth racing because it students.

The a half hour long, slows you down so much.” line between safe extremely intense and unhealthy exercise in bad air Theodore Lam can be difficult quality is better BHS track and cross-country member to draw for for your body administrators than a less intense, and coaches longer workout alike, who usually have said that researchers have because you’re in the bad air students with different yet to find a sturdy biological for that much less time. personal thresholds.

In 2022, the United component supporting why Stephanie Deflorio- the effects of air pollution Nations Environment Barker, an epidemiologist and exercise don’t even out Programme predicted a 50 at the US Environmental in adolescents in the same percent rise in wildfires in Protection Agency, stressed way they do for adults. the years leading up to 2100. how differently individual With wildfire smoke As wildfires become more people will respond to low sent by winds leading to common, the quality of the air quality. Generally, she effects such as decreased air that BHS athletes breathe said, if you’re a “healthy 20 lung function even in is likely to worsen. The exact year old college aged adult healthy adults, many long term impacts of this doing some high intensity worry about how to play poor air quality, however, exercise, whatever bad sports or exercise when air we are yet to know.

ALISA KARIN KOLPAKOVA

Analise Van Hoang: Climbing to the top

BY ANNA WILLIAMS staff writer

Analise Van Hoang is a sophomore at Berkeley High School and one of the best U16 rock climbers in the country. At just 15 years old, she has already competed in the Youth National Championships and Youth World Championships for climbing.

Van Hoang joined her first climbing team

at the age of six. She was inspired to climb because of her grandfather, who she says was a “mountaineer, climber kinda guy”. She competed in her first bouldering season when she was eight, and competed in local competitions up until nationals, which she continued to do until she was 14 years old, when she competed in her first National Youth World Championship. She recently competed in the 2023

Analise Van Hoang tackles a bouldering route.

ALEX TRIPCEVICH

Yeti Climbing National Championships in Idaho.

This year, Van Hoang missed the first two weeks of school to compete in the Youth World Championships in South Korea, where she beat out Geila Macia Martin from Spain and Oda Natsumi from Japan to secure a first place finish for bouldering.

For her, this experience was a whirlwind. “Everyone is from different countries and speaks a different language and has different ways of doing things,” she said. “It’s everyone’s biggest competition of the year so it’s really intense, but ultimately everyone’s there because they love to climb, so it’s definitely a good environment to be in with all those high level athletes.”

Even with her immense success at such a young age, Van Hoang considers one of her greatest accomplishments to be continuing to stay motivated during the pandemic. To keep training,

Van Hoang and her mother built a climbing wall in her basement. During lockdown, she continued with her training schedule, climbing on her indoor wall and finding locations to climb outside. “I think with everything with COVID-19, it was really hard to keep going and be motivated.

So to come out of that and to keep climbing is pretty amazing,” said Van Hoang.

On a day to day level, Van Hoang has to manage balancing her training for her career in rock climbing with the regular life of a high school student. When training for a competition, Van Hoang trains five days a week, with each training session lasting three to four hours each. What keeps Van Hoang motivated is that it is fun, rewarding, and satisfying.

Van Hoang’s dream is to be a professional climber.

In the meantime, she aims to continue improving and work on her weaknesses in her sport.

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WEIRD HISTORY: GREAT MOON HOAX ELI LEICHTER WILSON

Fake news has taken over the internet in the past few years and it can be impossible to tell what’s true and what isn’t. In a 2016 survey, 89 percent of Americans reported that fake news had at some point caused “a great deal of confusion” about basic facts. But despite the internet making the spreading of fake news easier, completely made-up reports are nothing new. A great example of this was during the week of Aug. 25, 1835, when a nonexistent scientific journal informed the public that a civilization had been discovered on the moon … and everyone believed it.

The first reports were published in “The Sun,” a New York newspaper. Over the six articles published, a made-up author named Dr. Andrew Grant told the story of the new discovery. He wrote that a highly respected British astronomer named Sir John Herschel, through the use of a 27-foot-wide telescope weighing seven tons, had peered at the moon from a research station in South Africa and discovered something extraordinary. Grant claimed that Herschel had seen a huge lake, about 300 miles long, with a volcano at its center and giant amethyst and quartz crystals jutting out from the lake’s surface. According to the reports, there were dozens of species of animals on the moon: gigantic fourlegged mammals resembling bison, as well as unicorns, tiny zebras, golden pheasants, and bipedal beavers, to name just a few. The most important discovery, however, was a group of three dozen humanoid creatures with thick fur and large bat wings, who the author called “Vespertilio-homo,” or “bat-man” in Latin.

All of this begs the question, how on earth did anybody believe this? The answer lies in the state of the scientific community at the time. By 1835, the world was in the tail end of the first industrial revolution and the public was extremely ready to accept any reports of scientific innovation as fact. Remember, just the last 50 years had seen a slew of new world-changing inventions, rapid urbanization all over the globe, and dramatic changes in the ways people lived, earned money, and fed themselves. In a way, men on the moon was not that big of a leap and the public fully bought into it.

With these new revelations, sales of “The Sun” skyrocketed. That week saw the largest ever circulation of a daily newspaper at the time and the first article alone sold 20,000 copies, primarily in New York and England. In fact, sales of “The Sun” never went back down.

The newspaper remained extremely popular until it shut down in 1950, even winning a Pulitzer Prize the year prior. So what can we learn from this story? Basically, check the facts you’re learning before telling other people.

Fake news is more prevalent than ever right now. Sometimes, it feels like nobody can ever be trusted. All I can do is encourage everyone reading this to fact check everything with sources you know you can trust, and if anyone tells you that scientists found a new race of humans on the moon, don’t believe them.

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SPORTS BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

SPORTS EDITORS: COLINA HARVEY & LEO SILVERBERG

LEOSILVERBERG@STUDENTS.BERKELEY.NET

Accessible BHS food replenishes runners

BY LUCY HOHN staff writer

Jalen Harris charging down the field as he looks to score.

LUCAS THOMPSON

Jackets take home win in league opener

BY ELOISE THOMAS staff writer

On Friday, Oct. 6, the Berkeley High School football team took on Encinal High School for their first West Alameda County Conference League game, winning by a score of 55-6.

Wide receiver Jalen Harris led with three touchdowns, and quarterbacks Deontae Faison and Drew Henderson threw a combined total of eight completed passes, six of which resulted in touchdowns.

BHS drove their score up early in the first quarter with a 35-yard touchdown play. Eli Moulton started the play, hiking the ball to quarterback Henderson who backed up to the BHS

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35-yard line and passed the the league undefeated. acknowledged him for ball up to Harris, who took According to Jamari this as well, with Faison the ball and scored.

Widemon, a BHS defensive mentioning how valuable he The first quarter ended end, some of the pressure was to the team this game. with BHS leading 21-0, and to win this league came “Seeing number one, Jalen, at halftime, BHS led by a from their success last year. come back and get three score of 41-6. At the same Widemon said this is the touchdowns… he really time however, BHS worked hard for earned multiple that,” said Faison. penalties.

“We The score “You are going to be seeing a lot of weren’t locked in stayed steady high-scoring games.” fully, there’s a lot throughout of stuff we need to most of the third David Perry work on,” Harris quarter, entering Varsity football head coach said about the the fourth quarter frequent penalties. with a score of In the second 48-6. In the last half, BHS was able to clean “first game of league and quarter, BHS ended the up their penalties. “We we’re trying to go undefeated game with a resounding went into the (second) half and repeat as champs.”

55-6 win. thinking ‘it’s 0-0’, a fresh One of the clear stars of The game set a hopeful mentality. We just wanted this game was senior Jalen tone for the rest of the to come out with the same Harris, who scored three season.“We always want to intensity we had in the first touchdowns. Harris recently start off really well and have half,” Harris said. returned to the team for the a positive win, a good team Last year, BHS won first time since his junior win, a lot of guys got to score year after recovering from and have fun,” said David an injury. Harris discussed Perry, BHS’s head coach. how his absence had served Perry expects the team as motivation for him in this to have many games game, saying, “It was my similar to this one as the first game back after getting season progresses and the surgery, so I knew I had to team improves. “They are score the ball. I mentioned it learning to have the ability before the game, every time to score whenever we touch I get a touch, I’m going to the ball so you are going score.” to be seeing a lot of highThe rest of the team scoring games,” Perry said.

Recently, a new program has begun inside the Berkeley High School cross country locker rooms. This is a program committed to helping runners with underfueling before, but mostly after, meets and practices. Inside the locker rooms, it’s chock full of snacks like almonds, meat sticks, and sun chips that replenish and provide food for runners. When runners come back from a meet or practice and are able to recharge their body, it ultimately has a good outcome on their health and running capability.

The program was started

by Sonia Delangle, a former BHS cross country runner who graduated last year.

The program is funded by the families of the team.

These families have spread the need for funding to their family and friends. “Sort of through word of mouth,” said Brad Johnson, who is one of the coaches for the cross country team.

According to Johnson, there is a refueling window for athletes, specifically after the first hour after exercise, where carbs and protein are needed to help replenish muscle and ensure that catabolism muscle

tissue (degrading muscle) is stopped.

Freshman Josephine Cooper, said that the program has helped her with running and overall health. “It makes me feel more nourished, before and after my runs,” she said.

Dahlia Cohan-Schiff, a BHS sophomore, believes the program has not only helped her with her running ability, but also helped with community building.

“Especially sharing the food with your teammates is also, I don’t wanna say team bonding, but it kind of is,” Cohan-Schiff said.

Along with the students noticing changes and improvements with the team and at practice, Johnson has also noticed advantages of the new program. “I would argue that many of our athletes are taking advantage of it so that would be my note of success,” he said.

Because of his experience with the team and his knowledge of the science behind getting carbs and food after practice, it helps him to encourage athletes to eat the food provided.

“If you’re hungry, especially after working out, and your body’s telling you to eat and you have the ability to eat.

It’s generally a good thing that we’ve accommodated that,” Johnson said.

A BHS runner takes advantage of the snacks provided.

ZIVA AMENDOLA

ATHLETE PROFILE Berkeley High School senior Elle Walker plays right-side hitter and outside on the BHS volleyball team. Three years ago, her mom signed her up for club volleyball lessons.

Ever since, she said she just kept playing and has been engrossed in the sport. Although she has been playing for a long time, she still says that her favorite moment was two weeks ago, when she “got a really crazy overpass kill … especially everyone’s reaction is the highlight of my career so far”. She also expressed gratitude for all the support she’s gotten the past two years. “The team is just … they’re so supportive. I don’t know how to explain it.

They’re just, they’re some of the best people I’ve ever met, like in my life,” she said. Walker is committed to play for Cal Poly Pomona.

EMORY ELY

— Sze Ting Chen