BHS Jacket 2022/23 Issue 1 - Back to School

BERKELEY HIGH

PUBLISHED BY AND FOR THE STUDENTS OF BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL

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NEWS

BHS responds to bomb plot arrest

BY KIRA RAO-POOLLA news editor

On June 1, the Berkeley Police Department reported arresting a 16-year-old after receiving the tip that he was recruiting other high schoolers to enact a mass shooting and/or bombing at Berkeley High School.

The teen turned himself in on May 30, BPD said. He has since pleaded guilty to a felony, according to Assistant District Attorney Matthew Golde, with his sentence including time in a residential rehabilitation facility.

BHS principal Juan Raygoza described the school district’s response to this incident. He said he was in close communication with both Brent Stephens, former superintendent of Berkeley Unified School District, and Jeff Mitchell, a BPD officer.

“The conversations are both about what we’re doing right now with this

investigation, but also just much more broad conversations about school safety, about making sure we have the resources and support in place to keep our campus and our students safe, going into our next school year,” Raygoza said.

Raygoza stated that the district should consider several key preventative measures, such as staffing and evacuation training.

“At Berkeley High, we have a lot of entry points,” Raygoza said. “Are we able to hire more safety officers in order to have more supervision on campus? That allows us at all times to make sure we have adult eyes in the hallways, out on the campus green, in the courtyard, and on the perimeter… That’s important to know.”

Ian Segall, student school board representative, echoed these sentiments, describing the shortcomings of the last school year, particularly with staffing. PAGE 2

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Activists have gathered to resist UC Berkeley’s development on People’s Park.

ISABELLA TASSO

OPINION

People’s Park holds community and power

BY ELLA CREANE opinion editor

Berkeley’s very foundation as a city is rooted in activism on behalf of marginalized people. Since it’s revolutionary protests surrounding the antiWar, Free Speech, and Civil Rights movements of the 1960s, Berkeley has remained

a haven for those fighting for a more equitable and peaceful world. People’s Park is a critical example of this rich past, and to destroy the park is to disregard Berkeley’s roots and soul. For this reason, Berkeley residents, University of California, Berkeley students, and Berkeley High School students have a responsibility to defend the

park and everything it stands for.

As seen throughout the park from it’s murals to it’s name, People’s Park is by and for the people.

Initially representative of a community’s right to its land, the fight for the park now encompasses Berkeley’s right to its past and its future.

As a center for social

justice, art, community, and natural beauty, People’s Park is home to many, both literally and figuratively. It provides space for houseless and low-income people who make up so much of Berkeley’s population to receive support and meals from various organizations, and the opportunity to foster their own community. PAGE 3

Advice for Freshman: What you wish you knew

The Buzz: How will you prioritize mental health?

Upperclassmen give advice to incoming freshman on adapting to the overwelming new world of high school PAGE 5

The Jacket podcast “The Buzz” talked to students about how they plan to prioritize their mental health this year.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

news editors: Kira Rao-Poolla & Kaiya Jordan

NEWS BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

kiraraopoolla@students.berkeley.net

Student arrest raises questions on school safety and transparency

J HORSLEY

BY KIRA RAO-POOLLA news editor CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“We were in a weird spot last year because we were down a lot of staff, like safety officers. There wasn’t really a consensus on how to handle school safety,” Segall said.

“But, I think that the district is definitely taking more steps to ensure that the short staffing issues are being fixed. There are a lot of new hires, in both safety

officers and counseling staff.”

Segall explained the balance in ensuring security without adopting extreme, intrusive measures.

“In the future, I’d love to see a district where student safety is respected, (but) each person is still respected,” Segall said.

“So, we aren’t going to have metal detectors on campus, but kids aren’t going to feel like someone’s going to pull a knife on them at school or fear a gun threat, simply because of the atmosphere that we’ll

have, which will be cultivated through better relationships between students and safety officers and counseling staff.”

Raygoza added that another goal is increasing education on appropriate behaviors on campus, and ensuring that there are strong mental health resources for students.

He commented on the emotional impact of serious safety concerns, as he had spoken with many students, parents, and staff members in the days immediately following

the public communication of following day. But in the public people that are supposed to be the arrest comment section of the school informing us and directing us “I t h i n k it i mp a c t e d board meeting that night, were keeping the truth from everybody, and it also could Universal Ninth Grade Ethnic us, and not being clear with us have impacted ever yone Studies teacher Alex Day said 100 percent of the time,” Segall differently,” Raygoza said. “It that the email was inaccurate said. “I understand that there was definitely tough, and I in both respects. were issues (of) a lot of people think that it continues to speak “The email sent out by knowing just because of safety, to how we need to be proactive Superintendent Stephens was because if it got around then it to make sure that our campus actually inaccurate, in terms would create hysteria and stuff is safe, and have staff and of talking about the school like that, but I think that the resources in place for any being notified,” Day said in blatant absence of truth was kind of serious incident that the meeting. “The counselors not needed.” causes real trauma with our were said to be available to Going forward, Segall plans community members, so that support tomorrow when to advocate for transparency we’re there to support you.” those counselors were not with the new superintendent Raygoza concluded by asked if they were going to be and the school board. e mp h a s i z i ng t h e He reflected on importance of the misconception “clear and proactive “In the future, I’d love to see a district t h at p r o g r e s s i v e communication with where student safety is respected, (but) cities like Berkeley students, staff, and are free from gun each person is still respected,” families.” According v i o l e n c e . “I w a s to Segall, however, absolutely shocked Ian Segall, clear communication that something like School board representative has been a problem in this could happen, so BUSD recently. close. I mean, literally Segall referred at home,” Segall said. to former Superintendent available… This problem with “As Berkeley, we find that we Stephens’s email on June 1, staff not being alerted (is an) are often in a bubble, and that notifying the public of the ongoing issue.” we are kind of exempt from arrest. The email stated that Segall described his sadness the horrors of the rest of the administrative and security at learning about the lack of world, but I think that this staff had been alerted about transparency of the school just demonstrated that even in the incident, and promised district in this situation. “As a places that are very liberal, gun that counseling would be student, when I heard that, I violence and gun issues are still made available to students the was disheartened, because the very prevalent.”

New COVID-19 Policies: Optional masking and at-home testing

BY KAIYA JORDAN news editor

As Berkeley High School (BHS) ge ars up for t he 2022-2023 school year, the administration prepares to control the spread of COVID-19, given the high rates of transmission.

“What we know from the district, that sets out a COVID safety plan for all of our sites, is that we’re trying our best to go back to prepandemic experiences,” said BHS Principal Juan Raygoza.

According to Raygoza, the school aims to make sure that students’ experiences can be as normal as possible while still prioritizing safety. Classes are expected to remain in-person, and the school will continue to hold indoor and outdoor events.

“M a s k s a r e s t r o n g l y recommended while indoors, but not required,” Raygoza

said. “We encourage everyone that’s at school to be fully vaccinated and boosted if eligible. Students should stay at home and notify us if they have any COVID symptoms, or if they test positive. Everyone should be encouraged to participate in COVID testing, especially during high transmission rates.”

Though weekly surveillance testing is no longer required, as it was during the 20212022 school year, BHS is encouraging students to test as often as they can.

“Our staff will have access to (over-the-counter COVID tests) and students can come up to the main office to get one at no cost,” Raygoza said.

“Every Friday, as students are leaving school, we’ll have parent volunteers with COVID test carts, and they can pick one up on their way out.”

On other weekdays, according to Raygoza, students can either go to the main office

to pick up a test or get tested at the Berkeley Adult School by entering through the backside on Curtis Street. Testing at the Berkeley Adult School starts everyday around 9:30 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m.

Tonia C oleman, BHS executive vice principal, commented on the importance of other safety measures in addition to testing.

“The one thing that I think we all know is that washing your hands and masking does help, and it’s strongly encouraged. So if folks mask up, we can lower the spread quickly,” said Coleman.

In terms of COVID-19 precautions in classrooms specifically, Coleman said that air purifiers would remain in all classrooms, as well as the Plexiglass in the front office.

If COVID-19 rates start to increase or there are any outbreaks, the school is prepared to reinstate surveillance testing, according

to Raygoza.

“Our district has also contracted traveling technicians that can come to Berkeley High when or if necessary, who can do more on the spot testing,” Raygoza said.

“If we find out, for example, that we have multiple cases in a classroom or on a sports team, then a technician will be available to come to Berkeley

High and provide on-site testing to everyone that might be in close contact.”

Raygoza explained that the option for technicians and on-site testing offers BHS a safety net.

“We are really excited to see you all back. When it comes to COVID, even though it’s now been two and a half years, I think we just

Student collects an at-home COVID-19 rapid test at BHS front office.

have to remain watchful,” Raygoza commented. “Even though masking is strongly recommended and not required, I ask everyone to think about our community and the ways that you can protect yourself and protect those around you… to keep all of us safe as we continue to go through this pandemic which is not over.”

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OPINION BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

opinion editors: Ella creane & Ellora mookherjee-amodt

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

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ellacreane@students.berkeley.net

People’s Park must remain crucial piller of Berkeley community members, houseless or not, and that must not be disregarded.

The park also functions The significance of People’s as a hub for residents of the Park is best exemplified neighborhood, with regularly through its history, one that hosted activities such as is deeply rooted in Berkeley’s musical performances, counterculture movement of speakers, and gardening. the 1960s. In 1967, UC Berkeley Although further student bought a 2.8-acre plot of land housing for UC Berkeley with the intention to develop students and supportive it into student housing, offices, housing for low-income athletic fields, and parking. and houseless communities However, their project ran is undeniably necessary, out of funds, and the plot building it on top was left empty and of People’s Park is dilapidated. Local both unacceptable “The fact that Cal is just allowing for a activists devised and unproductive. a plan to turn the year’s time to displace residents in the People’s Park is land into a park hope that somehow they miraculously more than just and space for find this pathway to housing ... is just a free speech, and a place for the little bit ridiculous.” houseless to sleep, eventually around and even the 1,000 community incorporation members became Nick, of a supportive involved, finishing Longterm People’s Park resident housing complex the park in May still eliminates 1969. that inclusive space. Student time to displace residents in However, the park became housing cannot take the hope that somehow they a s c ap ego at for R ona ld precedence over Berkeley miraculously find this pathway Reagan’s fight against student culture and community. to housing, that so few people demonstrations, and after he In order to further support actually find, is just a little bit sent in California Highway the houseless people currently ridiculous.”

Patrol and Berkeley police living in People’s Park, UC Pe o p l e’s P a r k h o l d s officers, a riot was started Berkeley also offered them an irreplaceable role for t h at l e f t on e d e a d an d 43 rooms at the Rodeway many Berkeley community many injured. The conflict CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Inn, funded by the State of California’s Encampment Resolution Fund. However, potential residents are only able to stay there for 18 months and must follow stipulations.

These include being in their rooms by 11 p.m. or getting locked out until morning.

Nick, a long-term People’s Park resident, was quoted on the People’s Park Instagram as saying, “The fact that Cal is just allowing for a year’s

between demonstrators and the police force was known as “Bloody Thursday”, and was only the beginning of the fight for People’s Park.

2,000 National Guard troops were sent into Berkeley that evening and continued to break up demonstrations over the next few weeks; at one point, airborne tear gas

was dispensed over the entire Berkeley campus through helicopters, harming student bystanders. Eventually, in 1972, protesters reclaimed rights to the land and rebuilt People’s Park.

But this wasn’t the end of the fight. In 1979, 1991, 2011, and now, since 2018, UC Berkeley has taken various

ISABELLA TASSO

steps to re-commence the development on People’s Park.

Each time, activists with a belief in the park’s lasting value as a sanctuary have fought and won.

It is our duty to do the same and uphold their legacy.

People’s Park belongs to us, the people, and it must remain that way.

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OPINION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

Receiving schedules late has detrimental effect on BHS students

BY ELLA CREANE opinion editor

At a school as big as Berkeley High School, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

With thousands of students, hundreds of class choices, and a wide array of classrooms, the task of preparing for a new year on campus can be highly stressful. Knowing what classes you have, who you have them with, and where they are can help students be equipped for whatever

level of difficulty the year will present.

Students receiving their schedules a week before school, and sometimes even later, negatively impacts their academic performance and mental health during the onset of the school year.

The beginning of the year is already a trying time for many students, with changes throughout all aspects of their lives during a big shift from summer to school. A return to heavy workloads and further responsibilities makes for a challenge that

is only exacerbated by a lack of information. Mental and physical preparation is crucial to supporting students, and that’s only possible if they’re given the necessary time and knowledge.

For returning BHS students, class choices or possible teachers are often highly important to them, and they have preexisting expectations for how their schedule or year will manifest. It’s nearly impossible for students to receive every class and

Students are forced to continually check Infinite Campus for schedule updates as school is starting.

every teacher that they is already very present. With small private middle school want, and disappointment no experience in the lovable, which led to difficulties regarding their educational yet undeniably formidable entering him into the reality is even Berkeley Unified harder to tackle School District when they have “It was just kind of annoying because system. no time to process. I had to see everyone else who already “It was just It’s no secret that kind of annoying got their schedules, and I didn’t know some teachers because I had to anything.” and classes are see everyone else more difficult than who already got others, and part of their schedules, Julius Rosenbach, students being able and I didn’t Hive 1 student to thrive is them know anything,” knowing what Rosenbach said. they’re walking into. environment of BHS, the If students received For new BHS students, beginning of the school schedules earlier in the the pressure of a new school year takes on even further summer, more time would weight. The difficulties of be available to troubleshoot entering a new social sphere the unavoidable issues that coalesce with the challenges will arise during the process of navigating a large and of assigning schedules confusing school, making to over 3,000 students. for a highly overwhelming In addition to preparing time. ninth graders often students, notifying them of experience a combination what changes they may want of anxiety and excitement to make in their schedules leading up to their first earlier on allows for them week, and knowing what to communicate with their their year will look like can counselors sooner rather help to ground them. They than later. This extra time to have no idea what to expect prepare makes the workload from their time at BHS easier for the counselors to and have nothing to guide manage as well. them without access to their Overall, schedules schedules ahead of time. determine the course of a Julius Rosenbach, a ninth student’s school year, and grader in Hive 1, received his the more time students have schedule three days before to know theirs, the more the first day of school. He time they have to prepare to recently graduated from a navigate their time at BHS. ISABELLA TASSO

College admissions process drives students away from college support without taking on the responsibility of an excessive amount of work.

Some students also have access to private tutors and As Berkeley High School counselors, forcing those returns to the new school without access into even year, a fresh senior class more of a disadvantage. begins the infamous college The intense stress and admissions process, and the anxiety levels sustained class of ‘23 can already feel over such a prolonged the stress of the long period of time can path before them. It’s lead to mental health become clear that the “(The college application process) issues in students, process of applying isn’t something you can back away impacting their day to college, something from. It’s your whole life and you to day well being. This that is supposed to calls upon students mark the beginning have to be able to manage it at 17.” to prioritize what of entering a higher should be considered Alison Guirrez, education, ultimately a basic human serves as a disservice AMPS student right, the right to to students, education, over their discouraging them own welfare. from capitalizing on really knows what’s going “The constant grind of an opportunity critical to on, at least, not to the degree thinking about college has the rest of their lives. that could give us security,” taken over my life since Most students are aware she said. “Adults who try freshman year,” Guirrez said. interests and commit to it of the drastic spike in the to help only know about “(The college application and then stick to it in order level of competitiveness college admissions from 30 process) isn’t something to have a successful career.” it takes to get into college years ago, and even people you can back away from. It’s When looking at over the past few decades, who are more prestigious colleges, with UC acceptance similar to us in age they have become rates plummeting. Since aren’t all the way “I just don’t feel confident in jeop- nearly inaccessible to 1997, UC Santa Barbara’s certain why they the average student, ardizing my mental health for setting an impossible acceptance rate went from did or didn’t get into 71.2 percent to 36.9 percent, the colleges that something that I don’t even really standard that many want.”

UC Irvine from 65.8 they applied to.” students feel the percent to 29.9 percent, UC pressure of.

Taking While BHS Berkeley from 31.4 percent provides multiple AP classes several Alison Guirrez, to 17.5 percent, and UC Los resources including a year, overloading AMPS student Angeles dropped from 36.3 college counselors on extracurricular percent to just 14.4 percent. and an abundance activities, and The unrecognizable of tutoring, it’s still your whole life and you have forcing themselves field makes it impossible challenging for students to to be able to manage it at into positions of extreme for parents and teachers navigate where they need 17. You have to know your stress, turns a time of selfBY ELLORA MOOKHERJEE AMODT opinion editor

to provide their kids and students guidance from their own personal experience, making the entire process feel incredibly isolating.

Alison Guirrez, a current senior in the Academy of Medicine and Public Service (AMPS) at BHS commented on the issue.

“It seems like nobody

discovery into an everyday battle. High school students, no matter how mature they may be, are still kids, and having to take on so many responsibilities mars their last years of childhood.

Because of these impossible standards, students have turned to alternative options to a four year college.

“I’m gonna go to BCC for two years, and then see how I feel,” Guirrez said.

“I just don’t feel confident in jeopardizing my mental health for something that I don’t even really want”.

As college acceptance

J HORSLEY

rates continue to slim and the competition skyrockets, the toll it takes on students’ mental health continues to drive students away from seeking a college education. We shouldn’t have to choose between success and happiness when it comes to decisions that will affect the rest of our lives forever. If any progress is to be made, the college admissions process must be reformed so that students can find a balance in their lives. College admissions cannot take priority over fulfullment.

FEATURES

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

features editors: Lauren Huang & Amelia WIley Moreira

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laurenhuang@students.berkeley.net

What to know your freshman year at BHS: Finding community

BY LAUREN HUANG features editor

As the annual cycle has it, Berkeley High School (BHS) has been hit with yet another wave of freshmen. Here is a population of students hailing from a wide range of pre-teen experiences, and, consequently, with varying abilities to tackle life in their newfound territory.

The transition from middle to high school can be a daunting one, especially when the latter is an establishment that accommodates over 3,200 students. In some cases, finding a communal space can help ease the overwhelming nature of such a transition.

Discovering these spaces constructs a foundation of interests that can be expanded upon in later years, creating new relationships and a better sense of individual enthusiasm. So how does one find these spaces?

“I had a lot of anxiety about doing ‘enough’ things, but once I got to BHS, I

realized I just needed to hit the ground running and start participating in things that seemed interesting,” wrote Noah Rudolph, a sophomore in Berkeley International High School (BIHS), in an email.

When he was looking for BHS happenings, Rudolph would refer to the Student Bulletin, a daily email about upcoming activities and initiatives sent to the student body by Director of Student Activities John Villavicencio.

Villavicencio also organizes two club fairs a year, where clubs can set up shop and pitch their message to students during the school day. When the fairs aren’t in session, the master club list on the BHS website provides an updated description of club missions, meeting times and places, and their contact information. In addition, as the year progresses, these organizations will post their flyers in the hallways as they start up their activities.

“It’s easy when you’re overwhelmed to just go

to what you know,” said Talia Antell-Proulx, a Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS) senior, “but [extracurriculars are] such a big way to meet new people and to have some shared sense of community that you [might not] necessarily have in your classes.”

Antell-Proulx attended middle school at Willard, where she forged friendships that she would later sustain at BHS. Given the high school’s large size, she acclimated to having more individual friends than friend groups in freshman year.

Her friends introduced her to some of the things she still pursues today, such as the Beads for Good Deeds club.

After she discovered the club at the club fair, Antell-Proulx became a member and would go on to become the club’s treasurer, graduating to its president in her senior year.

Also in her freshman year, she joined the tennis team after learning about it through a friend, and is now one of its co-captains this year.

Berkeley International High School (BIHS) junior Andre Risz joined the football team during his freshman year as a way to meet people and exercise during the pandemic. Due to his isolated experience during school lockdowns, he wanted to branch out in the sport that had previously been a casual hobby for him.

For a similar reason, Arson Ormsby, a sophomore in Academic Choice (AC), joined the cross country team before the start of his freshman year. Joining the team gave him an introduction to both the campus setting and to other BHS students. Later on, he would join club soccer and the BHS baseball team.

That same year, Ormsby ran for sophomore vice president, where he would campaign during classes, meeting many “great people” through classroom presentations and in student government.

Antell-Proulx also got involved in student leadership early on in her high school

career as class deputy which led to her being a part of CAS leadership her junior and senior year. In the program, she helps organize different events for CAS students, including retreats, welcome assemblies, talent shows, and a mixer.

During the later part of freshman year, when students rank which Small Learning Community (SLC) they want to attend for the next three years, the SLC presentations helped Antell-Proulx determine that she wanted to attend CAS because of the

sense of community it offered.

Universal ninth grade (U9) classes also prove to be a great opportunity to network with potentially future classmates before they diverge into more specialized SLCs. “As a freshman, I really took advantage of that clean slate type of mentality … you get to find yourself in the process,” Ormsby said. “You can find your people and it’s such a big school that you’re not really stuck with the same people in every single class the whole day. You are really able to find your own community.”

MALIN MORELL

WORD ON THE STREET

WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR?

For junior Margaux Vuillequez, summer break brought a lot of positivity. “Personally, I feel very ready [for the school year]. Last year it really went downhill for me and I was behind on a lot of my classes … This summer really refreshed me … ” When asked about the students as a whole, Vuillequez said, “All of our work ethics definitely got worse [online], but coming back from one year in person, we’re kind of getting the hang of it, so it’s definitely gonna be better for a lot of us.”

Orion Cordero, a senior, predicted that “attendance rates and tardy rates are going to be worse than last year” due to the new strict policies surrounding which entrances are available to students who miss the second bell at 8:30 a.m. and after lunch. This means students will have to put in extra effort and skipping class will be more appealing. “I’ve been late to fourth period two days in a row because they keep locking me out …

These rules are driving me crazy,” he explained.

David Goldstein, a senior in Academic Choice (AC), predicted a return to online school, specifically one starting in December. “Not because of COVID — because of some other thing — whether it be monkeypox or … another thing,” Goldstein clarified. He also added, “As someone on the senior class leadership team, we are making sure to plan an awesome prom that is totally gonna happen and without any hitches from COVID.”

Sebastian Jordan, a junior, predicted a positive year for sports at BHS. “I think our football team is going to do exceptionally well,” he said. He also predicted a successful year for the soccer team, saying “[and] I think that the soccer team is also going to do pretty well.” He predicted that for himself personally, “I’m gonna make varsity, Isaac is gonna make a lot of money this year.”

Regarding BHS’s attitude, junior Mikkaella Madronio said, “I think his school year will be more spirited, because a lot of incidents happened last year [that stopped] a lot of fun stuff … ” She expressed hope that more of BHS’s fun spirit will show, emphasizing her excitement for the school carnival. Madronio predicted that this upcoming year would be “Fun, chaotic, [and full of] new-faces.”

For junior Isaac El Ayadi, the upcoming year is forecast to be a little more supernatural. “Between May 2 and May 3 at 1:22 a.m. an alien is gonna come and take over the school,” said El Ayadi. However he urged students not to fear, saying, “it’s gonna be a friend and join the school to get an education.”

COMPILED BY AMELIA WILEY MOREIRA features editor

PHOTOS BY NOLAN WHITEHILL staff photographer

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ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

Critisism of sampling in hip-hop reveals bias in the industry

BY RUBY FREEDMAN entertainment editor

In art, unoriginality can actually spark innovation and creativity. Collage artists are known for repurposing other artists’ work to compose something new. In dance, people often strive to develop the same skills or techniques as other dancers. In the music industry, an example of this phenomenon is sampling; musicians use clips or beats from iconic songs to accompany their own work, collaborating with other artists to form something new. Sampling has historically been a huge part of hip-hop and R&B, and still is today. Although the recycling of artwork is praised in most art mediums, hip hop artists are often called lazy or accused of theft when they

use samples.

Sampling began in the ‘70s and ‘80s, when DJs would borrow melodies from funk or soul songs for MCs to rap over. Since then, the practice has become so popular that almost any modern rap or hip hop song is guaranteed to have a sample or two. James Brown’s “Funky Drummer” is a great example of a popular song that was sampled by over 1,000 hip hop artists, including Run DMC, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest. Another well known example of sampling today is Kanye West’s “Gold Digger,” which sampled Ray Charles’ “I’ve Got a Woman.” Without question, sampling is a key part of hip hop that has been used from the start of the genre and allows for musical connections between songs.

Music critics have

various complaints about sampling. Many believe that sampling diminishes the amount of raw musical talent in the world. Nicholas Payton, a Grammy-winning trumpet player, wrote in an online blog, “By accepting this as the new standard, we’re sending a message to our kids that it’s okay to learn just enough piano to program an electronic keyboard … And if you can’t play it, then just sample it…”

Another complaint is that of copyright infringement.

Multiple scandals and lawsuits in which artists didn’t have permission to use the samples they used have shown how murky the waters of sampling can be.

These arguments against sampling are hypocritical, if not ignorant. One cannot label sampling in hip hop as lazy if they don’t have the same stance when it comes to repurposing art in other

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News Editors

Kaiya Jordan Kira Rao-Poolla

Opinion Editors

Ella Creane Ellora MookherjeeAmodt Amelia Wiley Moreira Lauren Huang

Features Editors

Entertainment Editors

Marina Howard Ruby Freedman

Web Editor Faculty Adviser

mediums. Hip hop, being an art and culture birthed

by Black communities, is often discredited and vilified by critics with racial biases, and the disapproval of sampling is just another tactic that ties into this motive. Taking inspiration from other artists should be

respected and appreciated throughout the different fields of art, whether it is in visual collages or hip hop samples.

It is also crucial to appreciate the power that sampling has to revitalize older songs. The people who criticize the repurposing

GABRIELLA BUSANSKY

of music fail to see how it can connect listeners with musical history which would have otherwise been forgotten. Instead of worrying about who is profiting off a sample, musicians and listeners should celebrate the stories being told in the music.

THE CROSSWORD

Editor-in-Chief

Outreach Director

MAIA KESLER

Writers

Ysabel Chu, Aaron Stevens, Amelia Reed, Elena Tamagno, Colina Harvey, Julia Brimmer , Lucy Griffith, Maya Dang, Metztli Olague Guerrero, Simon Policy, Zachary Yoo, Ariana Yerovam, Aelia Gyger, Ava Ramsdale , Avha Meisels, Elta Tracy, Finola Jackson, Hannah Groth-Reidy, Jasper Lovvorn-Black, Jonah Lachs, Josephine Morasky, Maddie Philhower, Mateo Tsai, Mirabai Parnall, Ochi Grace, Ohad AviranFinkelstein, Pearl Gautier, Philippa Zlatev, Sage Feldman, Saskia Freedberg, Shanza Syed, Simone Faulkner, Serenna Redwood, Zada Sanger

Photographers

Eva Antonuccio, Glenn Mah, Jahan Ingraham, Kaitlin Blazej Moore, Larsen Porter, Lila Hallward, Madiba Nathan, Naveen Sanka, Sanam Rozycki-Shah, Ashley Diaz Noyola, Ava Mussi, Clara Cecilia Elm Nettesheim, Emilia Freilich, Julian Currier, Malin Morell, Malina Meissner, Mei Saphir, Nolan Whitehill, Penelope Gilligan, Sasha Balasubramanian, Yasmeen Bawany

Illustrators

Alexandra Morgan, Robert Gellner, Annelise Schouten, Lucy Rickart-Webb, Winnie Huang, Elliot Schrag, Lucia Radillo, Adea Hansen-Wistler, Leilah Doostan, Lindsey Rayon-Pixtun, Ruby Leaverton, Claudia Bloom

Editorial Policy

The Berkeley High Jacket is a designated public forum for student expression without prior review by school officials in which students make all final decisions on content.

The by-lined opinions expressed in the Editorial/Opinion and Entertainment sections and columns are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Jacket. Non-by-lined editorials represent the opinion of the Jacket and must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Editorial Board. Any opinions or views expressed in advertisements do not necessarily reflect those of the Jacket.

We encourage students, staff, and the community to submit letters to the Editor for publication. All submissions must be signed; anonymous letters may only be printed with a two-thirds vote of the Editorial Board.

Not all submissions will be printed and may be edited to conform to Jacket policy or to meet space restrictions.

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ACROSS 1. Just a couple 5. Music discs 8. Parasite-ridden beings 13. Black Friday tradition 14. Beethoven’s birthplace 16. Indigenous group from the Arctic 17. Michigan liberal arts college 19. Creator of the cybertruck 20. Future flower 22. Norse goddess of the underworld 23. National economic marker 26. Boyz II ___ 27. A feeling of discomfort and uneasiness 30. Gained (the benefits) 32. An old episode on TV 33. Birdlike 34. Renters 36. August 15, for this year 40. Hone, as skills or a knife 41. Trojan beauty 42. Rugby scores similar to touchdowns 43. Supportive tissues 44. Irritant 47. ___ Santos, Warriors draft pick 48. A little bite 49. Also 50. A tough decision, perhaps made by a prisoner 53. Dutch constituent country off Venezuela 56. Palestine or the Vatican, to the UN 60. Made warmer, as a jacket 61. Blood and guts 62. Roughly 63. Endures 64. Prefix with man or maid 65. ___ memorization DOWN 1. Inquire 2. Air traffic management agency 3. Student who uses a language other than English 4. Partner of tear

5. Coding languages such as Python, JavaScript, and C++ are all this 6. Donut quantity 7. Elitist 8. Battleship cry 9. The loneliest number 10. Food with rice and seaweed 11. Scrabble letters 12. Old, as in bread 15. Counterpart of a phenomenon, something that exists outside of perception 18. Very brief 21. Unit equal to a reciprocal farad 23. German tennis player Steffi 24. A Hindu mother goddess 25. __ of shoes or pants 28. Midday break 29. Moose adornment 31. A native language of Afghanistan also spoken in Pakistan and Iran 32. Prominent Point close to the Bay Area 34. Lowering your workload before a race or game 35. Hair or nail care place 37. Lacking moisture 38. Prefix with colon or truck 39. Word that precedes crackle and pop 43. Part of the year that precedes school 44. (Not) even a little bit 45. A water wheel used to elevate water 46. People, places, or things 47. Type of book or movie 51. Weaving tool 52. Love, in Spanish 54. Parley or wager 55. TV program interruptions 57. Sis counterpart 58. Superlative suffix 59. Raw fish eggs

— Raven Fonseca Jensen — Nicholas McGlashan

ENTERTAINMENT BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

rubyfreedman@students.berkeley.net

Entertainment editors: Ruby Freedman & Marina Howard

Back to school and back to fab: Fall style at BHS

Seniors Kerala Malcolm and Jada Graham’s first day of school outfits are eye-catching as soon as you are within their vicinity. Graham was flourishing a monochromatic purple look, which dazzled the crowded hallways and Civic Center Park goers while Malcolm chose boots that made a statement. The extra thought put into Malcolm’s school attire comes down to one main aspect, “I do have to think about [wearing] things I won’t have to be constantly pulling up every second.”

Comfort continues to triumph over all else for students of BHS, and the fact that this seems to not impede fashion sense is a feat many adults could learn a thing or two about. At the end of the day, Graham puts it best by saying, “I’m just wearing what I like to wear.” No less should be expected from every high school student out there.

Oli Pakes, a junior and fashion icon at BHS is a firm believer in individualist expression. They make it known that there is no one way to dress; “I think that [dressing a certain way] is kind of stupid. I don’t believe that we should conform to anything.”

To Pakes, the idea behind being extra fashionable during the start of school has roots in capitalistic ideas that many students simply cannot or will not submit to. “I wear what I already have, mainly because a lot of the time back to school fashion is pretty expensive,” said Pakes. A ‘back to school’ wardrobe is not a requirement at BHS, and students should feel comfortable presenting themselves however they please. When it comes down to it, the only person you should be dressing for is yourself.

7

BY MARINA HOWARD entertainment editor

Sonia Taylor, a junior at Berkeley High School, believes that students shouldn’t be wearing anything for anyone other than themselves when it comes to dressing for the first couple weeks of school. “There’s definitely pressure [to dress well]. As long as you feel comfortable with what you have, that’s what matters.”

Although it is widely marketed to today’s youth across the country, back to school shopping is not a priority for most BHS students. “I didn’t really plan on getting any new clothes, I got a few new things but it was mostly by chance,” said Taylor.

Ben Greenbaum is taking full advantage of their senior year, changing up their style and exploring new ways of existing here at BHS. “I definitely am excited to be back in school because I dress pretty differently than I did last year,” said Greenbaum, “I always like to be fitted in school, it gets me through my day.”

They are another non-believer in the back to school craze sweeping the nation in these early weeks of education, “I’m kind of always buying clothes, which is not a great habit.” Rather than focus their energy on a ‘school wardrobe’ they buy, “specific pieces … I searched for a vest like this for six months.” Their hard work has definitely paid off. When Greenbaum passes you by, it’s impossible to not take notice of their sensational style.

PHOTOS BY JULIAN CURRIER staff photographer

ILLUSTRATED BY GABRIELLA BUSANSKY illustration editor

12

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

sports editors: Luisa Bertolli & Norah Lee

SPORTS BERKELEY HIGH JACKET

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

norahlee@students.berkeley.net

After a summer of conditioning, field hockey players are determined to operate this season like a “well-oiled machine,” as senior captain Desi Reicher said. Reicher has already been brainstorming team bonding activities to create a more positive and harmonious atmosphere.

“I want a stronger community base so that communication is high... (and) people... (are) able to voice their issues,” said Reicher. After losing two head coaches, former Assistant Coach Annabel steps up to lead with new Assistant Coaches Avalon and Kayleigh. Amidst this turnover, the players have been hard at work, focusing primarily on basic skills. Reicher noted, “For field hockey, the fundamentals are pretty important. … Coach Annabel really wants us to get the form and how to control the ball down.”

These skills will be crucial while facing difficult opponents such as Marin Catholic High School, San Francisco University High School, and LickWilmerding High School later in the season. Field hockey will start games on Saturday, Aug. 20, at noon for the varsity jamboree; which features five schools in a mini-tournament. Reicher emphasized, “There is just so much potential. … It’s gonna be a good season.”

To gear up for the fall season, Berkeley High School (BHS) alumni and former football player, Coach David Perry, has newly joined the BHS coaching staff and has been prepping the football team since June 12. He has held intense strength and speed conditioning four days a week all summer, aligning closely with Perry’s belief that “with no challenge, there’s no change.”

BHS hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2011, and they are aiming to break that dry spell this season. The team is determined to win, and with what Perry refers to as “the best wide receiver duo ... Jackson Harris and (Benjamin) BJ Thurman,” he is confident that they will.

The offensive side of the ball is in Perry’s toolbox this season, and the team is also “installing a very cool defense that they didn’t run last year,” according to Perry. Putting those assets to use, the football team will head off the season with their first home game against Miramonte High School on Friday, Aug. 26.

“We are going to put on a show,” said Perry.

BHS runners are starting off the cross country season with physical health being a top priority.

Senior runner Sonia Delangle emphasized the importance of proper nutrition.

“I’m actually really into making sure everyone’s properly nourished and eating enough to replenish all the calories we burn,” said Delangle.

Elliott Escalante, another senior on the team, echoed this sentiment, saying, “I’m always learning to be more patient with my conditioning because it’s easy to overtrain and get injured.”

In the interest of injury prevention, seniors on the team lead weekly “Form Fridays” where runners practice proper running form. The team started pre-season conditioning the week after school got out, where runners participated in base runs followed by speed work. Working from this summer’s foundation of consistency, the team hopes to make it to the State Championships this fall.

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Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Oakland, CA Permit No. 8334

BY LUISA BERTOLLI sports editor

ILLUSTRATED BY GABRIELLA BUSANSKY illustration editor

UPCOMING GAMES TEAM

DATE

VERSUS

LOCATION

FOOTBALL

8/26

MIRAMONTE

BHS

CROSS COUNTRY

9/17

VARIOUS

HAYWARD HIGH

BOYS WATERPOLO

9/16

COLLEGE PARK

COLLEGE PARK

GIRLS WATERPOLO

9/13

BISHOP O’DOWD

BHS

FIELD HOCKEY

9/10

CHICO

BHS

GIRLS TENNIS

8/23

LICK WILMERDING

HEARST COURTS

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

9/27

SAN LEANDRO

BHS