November Issue 2022 by The Burlingame B Newspaper

WHAT’S INSIDE

in foot2 Increases ball game security 4

Randall Booker: circus to office

Referee shortage impacts games

Marching band steals the show

URLINGAME B

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Burlingame High School, 1 Mangini Way, Burlingame, CA 94010

November 8, 2022

Issue 2 Vol 134

Gibson fills assistant principal position PHOTO COURTESY OF TONY KAPLAN

BY AMANDA NOLAN

Social Media Manager

Federal stage Two candidates are competing for an open seat in Congress.

Propositions Propositions 1, 28 and 31 put reproductive rights, funding for arts and music and the sale of tobacco products on the ballot.

City council Three candidates are running GRAPHICS BY SOPHIA BELLA

city council, including Mayor Richard Ortiz and Vice-Mayor Michael Brownrigg. Generation voter Voter organization ran an I Voted sticker contest to encourage youth civic participation. Read more on pages 6-7

Security and surveillance in the student section BY ABBY KNIGHT

Staff Reporter

Starting Oct. 7, Burlingame administration began monitoring the student section during home football games with a camera. Administration also set up breathalyzing stations and guardrails to cordon off the fire lane in the stands. The fences actually prevent the fire marshal from shutting the games down if the fire lane was blocked. Outside

security was also hired to help with supervision. During the home game on Oct. 14, cameras were not there to record the students, but returned at the home game during Oct. 27. After inappropriate behavior at past games, the administration implemented cameras to maintain safe behavior and allow security to quickly resolve conflicts if one occurred.

“We’re just reminding students that we, you know, we are checking because we want to have good behavior,” principal Jen Fong said. Fong also believes that the cameras have successfully kept students from inappropriate actions. “When people know that they’re being filmed, they act a little bit differently,” Fong said.

See in NEWS, page 2

On Monday, a new Jen walked into Burlingame’s administrative office. And her last name wasn’t Fong. It was interim assistant principal Jenny Gibson, who stepped in to fill Dominic Bigue’s role after he was injured in a biking accident in early October. Gibson left Taiwan for Cupertino, California when she was seven years old. As a “new kid” who didn’t speak English fluently, school didn’t come easy, and she struggled to fit in. “I feel really strongly about creating that sense of community for all students,” Gibson said. “I was struggling — trying to learn the language and trying to find my people.” Because of Gibson’s personal experience, she believes that all students — no matter their race or socioeconomic background — should feel like they belong. “There’s no one way to find success in their life. Right? Find what brings you joy, and go after that,” Gibson said. While in school, Gibson leaned on teachers and mentors who helped her belong. Now, she emulates them. “I think the greatest lesson for me is meeting students where they are at and being able to identify what they need, where they are, and then be able to support them and guide them along the way,” Gibson said. Gibson didn’t always work in education. After high school, she attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising before transferring to Woodbury University and earning her fashion marketing degree. At 30, Gibson was living her dream at fashion publication WeAr Magazine, but she wasn’t satisfied with the corporate environment. While volunteering at a homeless youth shelter in San Francisco, she found a new purpose — stabilizing students and helping them find their passion. “So after that, I decided, I’m going to do it,” Gibson said. “I’m going to go back to school and get my teaching credential and work with kids in and teach in San Francisco. And so I did that. And I never looked back.” Gibson worked in the San Francisco Unified School District for 13 years, first as a fourth-grade teacher, then a district-wide restorative practices coach and finally as an assistant principal. At Burlingame, she hopes to form close relationships with each student over their four years at the school. “I think that the people and the relationships are what matters most to me and really getting to know people in a real authentic way in a more transformative relationship as opposed to just like, ‘hey, hi, bye,’” Gibson said.

NEWS

THE BURLINGAME B Editor-in-Chief Jackson Spenner Managing Editor Elise Spenner Sports Editor Michelle Moshkovoy Head Photographer Jake Rothstein Business Manager Alex Kelly Social Media Manager Amanda Nolan Web Editor Arda Inegol Diversity Coordinator Lizzy Wan Social Coordinator Kristie Kim Copy Editors Sophia Bella Isabel Liu Senior Reporters Daria Burnosova Arshia Chakravartti Staff Reporters Theo Au-Yeung Athena Bostonmaer Jeannine Chiang Stefan Couloures Danny Conway Sophia Doss Lauren Gonzalez Natalie Gyde Joelle Huysmans Brinda Iyer Abby Knight Will Kriner Ana Lunaparra Ellie Neuman Zachary Newman Sophia Puzon Ruby Rosenquist Zachary Shapiro

San Mateo Union High School District. The Burlingame B does not discriminate against race, political oritentation, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Although The Burlingame B will never refuse to publish guest submission based on the aforementioned factors, we reserve the right to edit or not publish them. Letters to the Editor Disagree with the writers? Bring your letters to the room A120 or email them to <theburlingameb@gmail. com>. Letters may be considered for publication. The Burlingame B reserves the right to edit for clarity, length, and accuracy. We welcome all comments. Website: theburlingameb.org Phone: (650) 558-2899 Email:

ELECTIONS GR

Teachers and CTA oppose Proposition 30 BY ALEX KELLY

Business Manager Proposition 30, which proposes an income tax to fund ride-share companies, is one of the most divisive measures on the California ballot, largely because of powerful stakeholders on each side of the aisle. Most Democrats in California are siding with the mammoth rideshare company Lyft to support the proposition, but Gov. Gavin Newsom has made an unlikely alliance with California Republicans in opposition to the proposition. The bill would add a 1.75% tax to Californians who earn over $2 million. This money would primarily go toward electric vehicle infrastructure for ride-share companies, such as Lyft and Uber. Newsom’s opposition to what many Democrats see as a bill intended to fight climate change is motivated largely by his alignment with the California Teachers Association (CTA). The CTA is opposed to Prop. 30, as the tax revenue would not go to the state general fund — which provides much of the funding for California schools and govern-

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS BY SOPHIA BELLA

Copy Editor

Administration recruits new members Administrator Kevin Welch, dean Donna Krause, district investigator Nicholas Huertas and safety specialist Philip Iniguez joined Burlingame’s administration in response to assistant principal Dominic Bigue’s absence, principal Jennifer Fong announced on Oct. 11. The administration held interviews for an Interim Assistant Principal and subsequently hired Jenny Gibson.

Increased arts and music funding San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) received a $5.5 million grant to support district art and music programs, helping to supply classes with resources. Additionally, if passed, Proposition 28 will require the annual funding of arts and music programs in grades K-12 at public schools.

COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster When the recent bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine rolled out on Sept. 2, medical researchers observed a dramatic decrease in booster dose recipients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 7.6 million people have received the bivalent booster, only 3.6% of the eligible population.

Joshua Knudson sets up a camera to record the student section on Oct. 27. Cameras were added to supervise and prevent conflict. BY ABBY KNIGHT

Staff Reporter

For the most part, assistant principal Joshua Knudson said that students do a good job of maintaining appropriate behavior. However, school spirit can quickly bleed into problematic language. “I do think that sometimes the chants are inappropriate,” Knudson said. “And that’s something we always talk to the students about.” Fortunately, according to both Knudson and Fong, the behavior has been a lot better this year than in the past. “[In the past], I’ve seen students come to the games intoxicated, and they have faced consequences for that,” Knud-

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certainly be good, those rich people might leave the state if another 1.75% income tax is tacked onto their returns. Plus, the tax doesn’t directly combat climate change — to many, it looks like another bailout for large corporations like Uber and Lyft. McDermott also factored in the CTA’s position in his analysis of Prop. 30. “I respect the CTA and usually take their word very highly into consideration,” McDermott said. McDermott isn’t the only teacher who shares the CTA’s view. Environmental science and chemistry teacher Alexandra Kirkpatrick also expressed opposition to the proposition, but her stance has less to do with taxes. Instead, Kirkpatrick argued that the measure is far too narrow compared to other climate legislation that could be passed. “If we do [Prop. 30], I want it to be really useful, and something that really has a big impact, because I know that voters won’t keep passing propositions like [Prop. 30] for those same issues,” Kirkpatrick said.

Football game surveillance

Address: 1 Mangini Way, Burlingame, CA 94010

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ment programs. Despite the CTA’s clear stance against Prop. 30, the San Mateo Union High School District Teachers Association (SMUHSDTA), has stayed silent on the issue. “We do work closely with [the CTA] in terms of policy teacher education, recruitment, retention those kinds of things,” SMUHSDTA president Craig Childress said. “But again, we don’t independently endorse or take official positions on statewide races.” The lack of a clear political stance from the SMUHSDTA does not stop teachers from siding with the CTA, however. For instance, Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Macroeconomics teacher Matthew McDermott cited several reasons why he plans to vote “no” on Prop. 30. “California already has a top marginal tax rate of 12.3%, one of the highest in the country, and to think of adding 1.75%, a 1.75% increase puts our highest marginal tax rate above 14%,” McDermott said. In short, McDermott argues that while taxing the rich can

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PHOTO BY JAKE ROTHSTEIN

Teacher Adviser Melissa Murphy

Policy Statement: The Burlingame B is a student-run newspaper with the role purpose of providing an open forum for student expression. Anything printed represents the opinion of the writer, but not necessarily that of the Burlingame B staff, the administration, or the faculty of Burlingame High School, or

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

son said. “I’ve heard language that I’m not comfortable with, like cussing and just kind of inappropriate, not for school language.” But administration, who watch from the track, have an entirely different experience than students who are inside the stands. Senior Chase Johnson feels that the cameras are an invasion of privacy. “At some point restrictions need to stop and micromanaging should stop as well,” Johnson wrote. “It honestly ruins the vibe of the football games, being fenced in like animals.” Johnson argues that recording the stands is useless, as trusting students to behave properly will ensure positive actions. “If you treat us like we know

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how to act in public situations, (which we do), then you’ll see an overall increase of [good] behavior,” Johnson wrote. Senior Jeena Jajeh also agrees that some aspects of the surveillance interfere with the enjoyment of the games, although she believes that the precautions are effective. “One thing this year I was really excited for was getting to stand up against the fence, since now I am a senior,” Jajeh wrote. “But since they added the newer fence to create a pathway the feeling of getting to be the front and loudest and more spirited is kind of gone.” On the other hand, with the addition of cameras, sophomore Jasmyne Ram feels more comfortable in the stands. “I think it’s good that they have cameras to access in the future if something happens or something goes wrong,” Ram said. “Or even just to observe what’s going smoothly just so that it can happen at future games.” Fortunately, Ram and many other students still feel able to enjoy the lively atmosphere at games, spend time with friends and cheer on the football team. “Overall I feel like football games are really fun,” Ram said. “It’s a good way to hang out with friends.”

NEWS

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

For seniors, end of Roe complicates college decisions GR A

BY AMANDA NOLAN

CHOOSE LIFE

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MY BODY MY

GIVE WOMEN THE CHOICE

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Four months after the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the reality of a post-Roe world is beginning to set in for a generation of young women. In 14 states, the ruling has forced clinics to turn off their lights and shut their doors. Across the rest of the nation, the future of reproductive rights rests in the hands of state governments. Although Burlingame seniors still enjoy the right to choose, the Dobbs decision undoubtedly affects their plans for life after high school. Senior Morgan Patch, who is currently applying to colleges across the nation, suggested that she values a school that supports her rights and her ability to make decisions about her body. If she were to attend a college in an anti-abortion state, that school would have to guarantee resources to help students terminate their pregnancies safely. “I think I would at least have comfort in the fact that the university I was going to had the same values as me, and it would protect my rights in every way,” Patch said. As someone supporting the pro-choice movement, Patch believes the Supreme Court’s

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Social Media Manager

CHOICE

decision violated her rights as a woman. When the Court released its ruling, Patch felt grateful she lived in California — a sanctuary state for women seeking reproductive care — but argued that targeted all women. “I’ve viewed the government differently because we preach this view of equality and then we’re not giving women equal access to health care that everyone else has,” Patch said. “It provides a new value that doesn’t represent what we stand for. So I think it can be damaging for especially the younger generation.”

Senior Flavia Cucalon refuses to spend her future in a state that wouldn’t give her the option to have an abortion. As an immigrant from Peru, she feels thankful to be in America but is frustrated that her basic rights and needs aren’t valued. “It doesn’t matter if you are sexually active or not. There are so many instances where abortions might be necessary,” Cucalon said. “You just really never know what could happen in those four-plus years.” Cucalon argues that this decision isn’t just about abortion, but overall regression in a coun-

try with a centuries-old history of gender inequality and discrimination. “They are pro-birth, and I feel like it is very much pro-controlling women’s bodies,” Cucalon said. But not every high school student lives in the Burlingame bubble, where the right to choose is guaranteed. Take junior Nora Bodie, for instance. She attends Port Clinton High School — located in a dominantly conservative town in Ohio — and feels her access to abortions slipping out of reach given the recent restrictions that

Ohio governor Mike Dewine placed on reproductive freedom. “It’s such an overstep for women’s rights — for women’s privacy,” Bodie said. Currently, Ohio has restrictions on abortions after 21 weeks and six days for those who are pregnant. At Port Clinton, Bodie feels like an outsider in the student population, which overwhelmingly supports the Dobbs decision. “I think lower of the area I live in, for sure,” Bodie said. “I’m not really ashamed of what I think of and who I am. I used to be more self-conscious about it. But I’ve gotten to the point where I kind of don’t really care if other people think I’m crazy, I guess.” With the college application process a year away for Bodie, she is ready to move to a city where she feels her rights are protected. Ultimately, her decision will come down to a university’s core values — who and what they support — and the rights protected by the state. “I would never want to put myself in a position where my rights are just stripped away from me,” Bodie said. “I guess I just want to move to a place where I feel I’m supported and the people I love are supported and people I care about.”

Thanks to Senate Bill 893, community college is now free PHOTO BY LIZZY WAN

A previous law forced students to pay $46 for each unit; however, thanks to Senate Bill No. 893, Calif. community colleges are completely free for students. ty college in California free for students that live within the Diversity Coordinator boundaries of participating On Sept. 30, Gov. Gavin schools. For some students, the Newsom signed Senate Bill 893, bill opens doors to the College effectively making communi- of San Mateo, Skyline College BY LIZZY WAN

READ MORE AT

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and Cañada College. The bill was introduced in January by Sen. Josh Becker, a representative of the 13th Senate district of California, which includes much of San Mateo County. The state Senate unanimously passed it in August. Prior to the legislation, California community colleges already had one of the most affordable tuition rates, charging students $46 per credit hour. For the sake of comparison, the average private four-year university charges $1,365 per credit hour, according to the Education Data Initiative. The California College Promise Program, enacted in 2016, also granted two years of free community college tuition to a limited number of students. “[Community college is] cheap in comparison to a fouryear school, but you know, it’s

still a couple thousand dollars. I think breaking down that barrier will be really beneficial for a lot of students,” college and career counselor Jonathan Dhyne said. On May 5, the San Mateo Community College District held a board meeting revealing that in the past five years, enrollment has fallen by 57% among low-income students, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While several factors often deter students from higher education, such as a need for employment, the new bill aims to help resolve student concerns over paying for college. “Imagine going to community college for two years and having to pay for nothing, you know? Obviously, that’s amazing. Then, working at the same time and building up money for maybe going to a four-year col-

lege in the future,” senior Stephanie Holcomb said. To pay for tuition, the bill will use “local unrestricted general funds,” on top of the allowance they already receive from the California College Promise Program. Signed on the same day, Assembly Bill 1705 limits the amount of remedial math and English classes offered to students. Instead, the bill focuses on offering classes with transferable credits and providing tutors when necessary, ultimately allowing them to graduate faster. “California continues to make historic investments to transform our education systems,” Newsom said in an official press release. “With new bills signed into law last week, more students will graduate from college faster — increasing student success and saving students’ money.”

FEATURES

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

License to drive: why it matters for Burlingame’s teens

GRAPHIC BY ANA LUNAPARRA

ful,” Polat said. Wa t c h ing his friends get their own licenses was another

incentive for Polat to take his driving test at the beginning of the school year; he got his license on the first try. “It was just a way to enjoy myself more because I heard all my friends had licenses and it seemed fun,” Polat said. Before getting a learner’s permit, teenagers must take an online driver’s education course and pass a written test. After 60 hours of documented practice and lessons, teenagers can finally take the behind-thewheel test. But Tostado, who is planning to get his permit as soon as he turns 15 and a half, thinks this process will be worth it in the long run. “I’m planning on starting everything straight away so that I can get [my license] as quick as I can,” Tostado said. After getting his permit, Tostado will start driving lessons immediately and will then be able to practice with his fami-

GRAPHIC BY ANA LUNAPARRA

makes them feel less reliant on their parents. Polat uses his liWeb Editor cense to drive to the gym and Most Burlingame students school every day and to help his get their driver’s licenses while parents with daily tasks. in high school, and there is an “See, it’s actually very helpobvious reason for this tendency: freedom. Not only does a license give students a chance to drive independently, but it also represents a crucial first step into adulthood. For students like junior Kevin Polat and sophomore Adrian Tostado, this independence motivates them to take on their own responsibilities and BY ARDA INEGOL

How the circus shaped SMUHSD superintendent Randall Booker PHOTO BY MICHELLE MOSHKOVOY

Superintendent Randall Booker stands next to his late father and circus owner Jerry Booker’s animal that embellish his office. BY MICHELLE MOSHKOVOY

Sports Editor

Randall Booker, who assumed the role of San Mateo Union High School District’s (SMUHSD) superintendent on July 1 following Kevin Skelly’s retirement, has three major goals for the district: paying attention to students’ health, getting every student to graduation and ensuring that they all thrive. With over 25 years of experience in education, Booker has demonstrated his commitment to learning time and time again. But before his career, Booker spent his formative years at Burlingame. In fact, “Car Thieves and Creek Beds,” a young adult fiction Booker published in 2017, offers a sensationalized slice from his time at Burlingame. A self-described curious and

energetic child, Booker and his friends’ parents didn’t ever drive them anywhere, he said. So they turned to the streets of Burlingame for adventure, traipsing up the creek behind Village Park at night and playing on the tabletop Galaga in Village Host still present today. “I have a lot of fond memories with my friends out and about, and on weekends [in Burlingame],” Booker said. But, for him, one local destination was most memorable: J.P. Booker’s Early American Circus, a 15-acre ranch stationed in Hillsborough and owned by his late father from the 1960s to the 1980s. From age five until his freshman year at Burlingame, Booker ventured to the ranch on the weekends or after school. The circus shows took place at the San Mateo County Event Center, where Booker performed on the back of a large draft horse, doing flips and tricks while the horse galloped around a ring. However, the circus wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. “It’s really cool to be in the circus when you’re in elementary school…to wear red spandex and gold sequins,” Booker said. “Then you wear that stuff in middle school, not so cool.” Booker was bullied throughout his time at Burlingame Intermediate School with nicknames like “fairy.” He transitioned to high school lacking self-confidence; he said the school felt “too big for [him] and [he] got swallowed up a little bit.” Just weeks before freshman year, Booker’s commitments at the circus caused him to miss band camp, and as a result, kept him from joining the marching

band. “That’s kind of part of my identity that got shoved aside [as a musician],” Booker said. “Those kinds of things make you lose your confidence.” The following year, Booker and his family moved to Santa Rosa, where he transferred to Cardinal Newman High School. There, Booker was able to unload his baggage and rebuild confidence. “When you start understanding yourself, you can be like, ‘I don’t like that part of me, I want to change it’ or ‘I really like this part of me, I’m going to really hold on to it,’” Booker said. “I think that’s a great time of your life right now.”’ Booker decided to become an educator at Saint Mary’s College of California. He earned a California teaching credential with an authorized field in English, an Administrative Services credential and a masters’ degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. Booker previously spent 19 years at Piedmont Unified School District, including seven as the superintendent. At Piedmont, a K-12 district of about 2,500 students, he developed a wellness and adult program, broadened chromebook access and navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Booker wants to help every one of the roughly 10,000 SMUHSD students succeed. “As a teacher… I have hope in what you can become,” Booker said. “I have hope that I’m going to be one spoke in this wheel of many, many spokes in your life that are going to lead you to find yourself. To thrive. To change the world.”

ly. Ideally, he will then take his driver’s test exactly six months after he receives the permit. Ultimately, Tostado believes that getting a driver’s license is a win-win: it will motivate him to be more independent, and will also let his parents relax since they won’t have to drive him around anymore. “I feel like it’s just a faster way to transport everywhere, and I wouldn’t have to call my parents,” Tostado said. “I wouldn’t have to get rides everywhere. I wouldn’t have to take the bus anymore.” However, some parents and students believe it’s dangerous to let teens drive. Senior Jayden Entenmann’s parents, for example, do not let him drive even though he has a license. “It’s their decision, and it’s actually a pretty good one,” Entenmann said. “A ton of the percentage of driving deaths are related to minors driving.” Although Entenmann be-

lieves that driving can be dangerous, he emphasizes teens still should be able to drive if their parents allow it. “I think most kids who drive are responsible enough to not do unsafe driving practices,” Entenmann said. However, some parents still feel very concerned about their children becoming licensed drivers, citing concerns such as drunk driving or simply not being capable enough to drive at such a young age. Polat thinks otherwise. He believes teens need to practice driving before they become adults and set foot in the real world. “Although [parents] are scared that a kid drives, if they don’t drive they’re more prone to getting into accidents,” Polat said. “Just let them drive and experience it.”

CAFETERIA FOOD: POWER RANKING BY DANNY CONWAY

Staff Reporter

Pizza You can never go wrong with a classic slice of “Za.” Portable, cheesy and greasy, pizza is the go to lunch choice.

Bagel The pizza equivalent of brunch, a bagel is a reliable and safe choice for a mid-morning pick me up.

PB&J

Simplicity is the key to good cafeteria food, and the PB&J does just that. These are served at both lunch and brunch.

Bar Coming in several flavors known simply by color to students, these bars are sweet and filling.

Apple This is a bit of a left field choice, but fruit is often overlooked by students in the cafeteria line.

FEATURES

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

After Burlingame, Liberatore takes to the roller rink PHOTOS BY JACKSON SPENNER

BY JACKSON SPENNER

Editor-In-Chief

BY LAUREN GONZALEZ

Staff Reporter

When the clock struck 7 p.m. at the Redwood City SportsHouse on Saturday, Oct. 29, dozens of people strapped on roller skates, zipped up their Halloween costumes and rolled onto a disco-lit volleyball court. Hits ranging from Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” to AC/DC’s “Back in Black” echoed through the auditorium. For three hours, the room transformed into a retro roller rink, the only one within 25 miles. If one thing was for certain, everybody was having fun. It didn’t matter if it was their first time on skates or their 100th — everybody smiled, laughed and danced. When one skater fell, three more helped them get back up. A community had formed out of thin air. “It’s fun to meet different people, doing something active with music,” said Jennifer Rodgers, catching her breath after 30 minutes of whizzing around the

About fifty adults and children skated around the Redwood City SportsHouse for Skate Open Space’s Halloween Haunt on Friday, Oct. 28. room. “For me, it was something I grew up doing as a kid.” Slightly embarrassed, she reminded me: “We were kids in the ‘70s.” But Rodgers has a point — it’s hard to come by roller skating these days. That’s where Skate Open Spaces, the business behind the Halloween event, comes in, hosting pop-up skating events around the Peninsula. At the helm of Skate Open Spaces is Alison Liberatore, who, until last May, was a history and government teacher at Burlin-

I found myself putting on skates and going out and skating in parking lots a lot. Just for exercise and fun and just kind of ‘Whoosh!’ — that’s what it does for me.” ALISON LIBERATORE

game. In her 25-year teaching career, Liberatore was always full steam ahead. But whenever she had a break from grading papers, preparing lessons and raising a family, she headed to the Redwood Roller Rink and strapped on her skates. “It was sort of this iconic skating rink, like super old school,” Liberatore said. “And then it closed, and it was a bummer. And then Covid happened, and I found myself putting on skates and going out and skating in parking lots a lot. Just for exercise and fun and just kind of ‘Whoosh!’ — that’s what it does for me.” With her classroom confined to her laptop screen, roller skates became Liberatore’s way of staying connected with the world. Every Sunday, Liberatore and a small group of friends would find an open parking lot, put on music and skate for hours

on end. But in the back of her mind, Liberatore had dreams of hosting public events in a full-sized roller rink, just like old times. For the time being, the parking lot sessions were a perfect compromise: they got the weekly exhilaration of strapping on skates without the large overhead of renting a venue. However, later that year, Liberatore got a wakeup call from her 14-year-old daughter. “She was like… ‘So, guess you gave up on your dream, huh?’” Liberatore said. “And I just looked at her and was like, ‘Well, I can’t let that be the message. So, shoot, I’m doing this.’ And that was very motivating.” At about the same time, Liberatore received the scary news that her mother was extremely sick. Just like during the pandemic, planning skating events became her escape.

“[It was] something that was not news, not stressful, not grading papers, you know?” Liberatore said. “It was something that I just wanted to do — it was joyful and distracting.” Skate Open Spaces has already hosted two large events this year alongside a series of smaller ones, including skating lessons for fourth graders and teens. The date of the next open skate is Nov. 26. In the future, Liberatore hopes she can continue to build a community of skaters throughout the Bay Area and eventually fulfill her dream of owning a roller rink. “The goal is really just to… create opportunities for [skaters], whether that looks like a parking lot or volleyball courts… just to create opportunities for people to learn and hopefully fall in love with the activity,” Liberatore said.

ELECTION 2022

Your guide to this year’s midterms 01

AP HI CS

ALEX KELLY

Business Manager ANA LUNAPARRA

Staff Reporter

Ricardo Ortiz Mayor Ricardo Ortiz, elected to city council in 2013, is no stranger to the Burlingame scene. Ortiz first moved to the town in 1993. He has a long-standing commitment to giving back, which he fulfills through volunteering and taking part in local organizations. He previously served as the president of the Burlingame High School Drama Boosters, president of the Men’s Club and treasurer of the Burlingame Rotary Club. He is adamant that Burlingame

fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives.” If the measure fails, state law would continue to protect reproductive rights, but these rights could be revoked in the future. U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla support Proposition 1, along with Governor Gavin Newsom. Opponents argue that it will allow lateterm abortions and raise taxes.

Peter Stevenson is a long-time presence in the Burlingame community. In his 30 years in Burlingame, he’s put his three kids through the public school system, served as president of the Burlingame Community Education Foundation, helped pass parcel taxes and sat on the Citizens Advisory Board. “I wanted an opportunity to give back. I’m a roll up my sleeves person you know, not necessarily seeking the limelight,” Stevenson said. “I’m more excited about the outcome of some-

Proposition 28 was initiated by citizens through signatures and would amend state law. Parents, teachers and children support this measure, while those who oppose it believe that local decisions should determine funding. The California Teachers Association and Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent Austin Beutner endorsed the Yes on 28 campaign.

continues to practice fiscal restraint, so that present and future inhabitants can continue to enjoy the town as it is. Ortiz is a proponent of embracing an environmentally-conscious future and addressing local issues without sacrificing small-town charm. Finally, in terms of education, Ortiz thinks the city should sustain its tight relationship with the elementary school district; the quality of Burlingame’s public schools, he said, remains the largest draw for potential residents.

Michael Brownrigg

Peter Stevenson Proposition 28 would provide increased funding for arts and music education in all K-12 public and charter schools. As of now, one in five California public schools have full-time art or music programs. This measure would send $1 billion in funding each year to increase access to these programs — equivalent to at least 1% of total state and local revenues that education agencies received in the last year.

Staff Reporter

INSIDE THE CITY COUNCIL

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PROPOSITIONS ON THIS YEAR’S BALLOT Proposition 1 would enshrine the right to have an abortion and use contraception in the California Constitution, leaving medical decisions up to the patient and provider. The proposed constitutional amendment is as follows: “The state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their

DESIGN BY SOPHIA BELLA ARTICLES BY: ATHENA BOSTONMAER

thing than I am with a title. And that’s my philosophy.” If elected, Stevenson plans to emphasize safety and sustainable transportation. He also identified affordable housing as a critical concern. “I think it’s important that we maintain the diversity of our community and have affordable places for everybody,” Stevenson said. “When you think of teachers, service workers and first responders, not everyone can afford a home.”

Vice-mayor Michael Brownrigg has served on the Burlingame City Council for 13 years. His previous three elections were competitive, demanding grassroots mobilization and substantive debates. However, the move from at-large to by-district elections changed everything. “This election has been entirely different,” Brownrigg said. “The state enacted a law a number of years ago that made it easy for a law firm to sue smaller cities if they have at-large elections because of the supposed lack

of diversity… I don’t like that law, when you’re talking about tiny cities like ours, then I think at-large elections are much better.” Brownrigg loves Burlingame — the eye-catching parks, great schools and pretty streets, but also the diversity of its residents. “We have been a community that has lots of different people,” Brownrigg said. “We have professional firefighters living next to biotech executives.”

WHO IS GOING TO REPRESENT US?

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Democrat David Canepa is also running for Congressional District 15. Canepa is currently a San Mateo County Supervisor and served as Daly City’s mayor. Canepa graduated from Skyline Community College and received his graduate degree from the University of San Francisco. In office, Canepa helped oversee San Mateo County’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his campaign, Canepa promises to will fight for affordable housing, health care and education in Congress, citing his track record of prioritizing those goals on the Board of Supervisors. Canepa will face Kevin Mullin for the seat after taking second in the primary, receiving 23.9% of the vote and trailing Mullin by 15 points.

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Democrat Kevin Mullin is running for Congressional District 15 to occupy the U.S. House of Representatives seat vacated by Jackie Speier. Mullin currently represents much of the Peninsula in the California State Assembly. His history in San Mateo County politics dates back to 2007, when he served on the South San Francisco city council. During his nine-year tenure at the state level, Mullin passed over 60 bills. Mullin is campaigning on protecting voting rights and preserving democracy. In the Assembly, he authored the DISCLOSE act, banning dark money in state elections, and co-authored a bill implementing automatic voter registration. Mullin is the favorite in the race after he won the primary with 41.7% of the vote and received endorsements from Speier and the California Democratic Party.

COURTESY OF DAVID CANEPA OF CONGRESS

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stripes on the American flag. “I wanted to include [pieces] that are common in voting settings,” Cheng said. All the winning stickers portrayed each artist’s diversity, personality and creativity. Cheng’s experience is proof that Generation Voter achieved its goal of prompting more young people to join the voting process. “It definitely helped me engage more with the community,” Cheng said.

ple take part in the civic process and pre-register to vote. Giere is passionate about bringing attention to smaller elections since many constituents only vote in federal elections. “Citywide issues and community issues also matter,” Giere said. There are limited chances for youth to be politically involved. This year, the “I Voted” sticker contest was Generation Voter’s way of changing that. The winner of the competition for ages of 12 to 18 was junior Lauren Cheng. Her design incorporated red and blue squiggles to represent the

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This year, Generation Voter, led by senior Ava Giere, offered an “I Voted” sticker competition to involve local youth in the civic process. The competition judged sticker designs by Burlingame residents under 18; voters will receive the winning submission at polling booths. They received 175 submissions from the Burlingame community. “Hopefully [the “I Voted” contest] got more people thinking about voting in the November elections,” Giere said. Generation Voter, a project out of the city clerk’s office, helps young peo-

Kevin Mullin A

GENERATION VOTER’S “I VOTED” STICKER COMPETITION

Governor Gavin Newsom and Lindsey Freitas, advocacy director for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, support passing the proposition. However, some argue that it is already illegal to sell these products to people under 21, and believe that absolute prohibition is unnecessary. The Californians Against Prohibition is campaigning against the proposition and wishes to repeal Senate Bill 793.

COURTESY OF KEVIN MULLIN OF CONGRESS

Proposition 31 would prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products and decrease state tobacco tax revenues. A “yes” vote would approve Senate Bill 793, passed in August 2020 to fine retailers that sell flavored tobacco products. To reduce tobacco-related healthcare expenses, stores and vending machines would also be prohibited from selling most flavored tobacco products and flavor enhancers.

Diane Papan Democrat Diane Papan is running to represent the 22nd Assembly district in the California State Assembly, hoping to fill the seat vacated by Kevin Mullin. Papan is the deputy mayor of San Mateo, and her family has a history of representing San Mateo County. Her father Lou Papan represented San Mateo County in the Assembly for 20 years and was known as the “Dean of the Assembly” during his tenure. Papan is running on a commitment to housing affordability, protecting women’s reproductive rights and fighting for climate change protections. Although her opponent Giselle Hale is still on the ballot, Hale dropped out of the race in July. The election is all but decided, and Papan will almost definitely be in the Assembly come January.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

BY JAKE ROTHSTEIN

Head Photographer

Playing under the Friday night lights is a quintessential part of the high school football experience. But since the pandemic, unprecedented referee shortages have threatened to disrupt the long-lasting tradition. John Philipopoulos, varsity football coach and athletic director of 23 years, has seen the issue reach Burlingame’s shores this season. So far in the 2022 season, the team has already had to move two of their games to Thursday night due to the shortages, a first in Philipopoulos’ tenure. “There’s not enough officials in football, baseball, basketball, water, polo, lacrosse, you name it; there is a definite shortage,” Philipopoulos said. “[The shortages] started last year, we were fortunate enough where we didn’t get moved, but obviously, things like this don’t get better right away.” Referee shortages have always been an issue, but the pandemic clearly exacerbated the crisis. Barry Mano, the current president and founder of the non-profit National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), has seen firsthand the ramifications of losing referees.

“[Shortages are] a big issue. It’s probably, other than physical assaults, the biggest issue that our industry is facing. Keep in mind, pre-pandemic, there was a shortage of officials, but the pandemic put an exclamation mark on that shortage,” Mano said. “A good 15% or 20% of them decided not to come back.” Notably, referee shortages are now impacting players: Burlingame football’s coveted senior night and matchup against Menlo School was moved from Friday, Oct. 28 to Thursday, Oct. 27. because of a lack of referees. “The team was kind of confused and disappointed that we got [rescheduled] twice,” senior football player Danny Hilt said. “The Aragon game [on Thursday] was what it was. But the fact that a game that is so important to all the seniors on the team got rescheduled… I know a lot of my family and friends [weren’t] there.” Varsity games normally require five referees, limiting the number of Friday matches that a league can host. Teams are left with an insufficient number of Friday time slots, forcing teams to choose between pushing their games to Thursday or Saturday or playing short-staffed on Friday. “We’ve actually adapted by being short. I did Sequoia and

Burlingame, their freshman game three weeks ago [with a] two-man crew,” referee Paul Harris said. “It’s a job, it’s got to get done. We have to do the best that we can with what we have in place.” Not only are referee shortages on the rise, but the NASO reported a recent uptick in referee assaults. “It’s never been worse. We get bonafide reports here at NASO every single week of a physical assault against a sports official,” Mano said. “There was just another death where somebody punched so hard that it actually killed the referee, but that’s sort of the outlier, thank goodness.” As abuse from spectators becomes more frequent, referees have begun to take extra precautions to ensure their safety. “Last week, an official in our Silicon Valley group was threatened at a game,” Harris said. “There’s concern for things like that. We are supposed to walk [in and] out here all together, just in case that happens. And if it’s a really hostile game, we would just run and get out of there.” For the majority of high school referees, officiating sports is a part-time job. In the case of Curt Vanderstelt, who has been refereeing since 1995, when he was 15 years old, officiating has

What it takes to run

CROSS COUNTRY BY STEFAN COULOURES

Staff Reporter

The greatest athletes will tell you “preparation is the key to success.” The cross country team has followed this advice to a tee. Since August, their weekly workout structure has been oriented around preparing for the highly-anticipated Peninsula Athletic League (PAL) championships on Saturday, Nov. 5. To build endurance, Burlingame practices Monday through Thursday, as well as every Saturday morning.

Four students smile during an easy run in Washintgon Park on Monday, Oct. 31.

“It’s a combination of tempo, which is slower but longer. [Also] the high intensity stuff which is semi-long but fast, and some hill work,” head coach Chris Coleman said. Their workout schedule prior to PAL championships consisted of three to four miles of running each day, totaling about 15 to 20 miles per week. “I definitely think it improved my performance a lot,” sophomore Aron Martin said. “Especially like my strength and being able to go at a faster pace.” This season, the team has adopted the tried-and-true tactic of easing into a strenuous week with a less challenging workout. On Monday, they head over to Washington Park for the team favorite lighter run. “It’s really nice to take a break from the rigid structure of the track,” Raghavan said. “It’s nice to have shade and stuff too, so I think just running there in general is good to kind of mix it up.” Burlingame picks up the pace on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a variety of multi-lap workouts on the track. The runs

are longer-distance on Tuesdays, and shorter repeat sprints on Thursdays. These workouts help runners increase their speed after building up their endurance. For example, during a Thursday workout, the team might do two repeat one-miles at a faster pace than a singular two mile run. But Wednesdays and Saturdays are the keys to the team’s success. The runners venture to Hallmark Park. According to assistant coach Steve O’Brien, these workouts are the most important to the team as Hallmark is the site of both the PAL championships and the Central Coast Section championships. “It gives you the confidence to have success on the course because a lot of teams never go to Hallmark [to train], so we’re very familiar with the terrain, what to eat [before running there],” O’Brien said. “You know how to navigate that course because that’s a super hard course and for a lot of people it takes two to three years to kind of learn how to run that course pace-wise.” The team frequently turns to two workouts at Hallmark: a

PHOTO BY JAKE ROTHSTEIN

Behind the national referee

Referee Paul Harris calls a play at Burlingame’s varsity football game against Sacred Heart Preparatory on Friday, Oct. 14. been a lifelong hobby. “I do it mostly because I love being involved with sports, and I love to give back to the community as a referee,” Vanderstelt said. “There’s not a lot of income. You get paid about $75 a game on average.” While Vanderstelt still sees many more years of officiating ahead, older referees have begun to retire due to the intense physical demands of officiating, along with the increasingly hostile crowds. “The referees are getting older and older, and they’re retiring out, some of them because they

physically can’t do it anymore, and other guys just aren’t interested in doing it as much as they have been in the past,” Vanderstelt said. For those that do remain on the job, they just want to officiate a fair and safe game. “We want to do a great job for every game. I have no interest in screwing up a kid’s game or messing a call up. I want to be as perfect a referee as I can be. And because I love the game,” Vanderstelt said. “I wish I could get every call right, and when I don’t, I feel as bad as the person who’s yelling at me.”

Washington Park

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Track

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Easy run longer 3-by-3000 meter workout starting at the top of the big hill on the course and a shorter workout that repeats the first 1200 meters of the course. The Track longer 3000-meter repeat workout is completed on Saturday mornings while Multi-lap the shorter workout 1200-meter repeat workout is done on Wednesdays. “Those have been kind of our two best workouts in terms of confidence this year,” O’Brien said. According to freshman Ryan Liu, the support system in the program makes the workouts more enjoyable. “We have great teammates, and everyone respects each other. No arguments, just a great team to run with,” Liu said.

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Senior Minnoli Raghavan rounds the track during a two-mile timed run on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

9 PHOTO BY MICHELLE MOSHKOVOY

Despite losing stars, girls’ volleyball excels BY ZACH SHAPIRO

Staff Reporter

Sophomore team “Back that pass up” unites together to do a team stunt after their victory in the first round of the Panther Bowl on Oct. 17.

Panther Bowl: A promising first glimpse at girls’ flag football BY MICHELLE MOSHKOVOY

Sports Editor

JEANNINE CHIANG

Staff Reporter

Senior quarterback Malia Schmidt scans the field, spotting an open Izzy Kossar 25 yards ahead of her. Without hesitation, she launches a spiral towards the end zone. Touchdown! 30 seconds later, Kossar intercepts an opponent’s pass, sprinting down the field to make the score 12-0. The crowd roars at the action-packed spectacle. In perfect sync, the girls on the field jump into the air in celebration. Last month, Burlingame got its first glimpse of female flag football in years — and it was exciting. From Oct. 17 to Nov. 4, the Leadership Sports Commission hosted the Panther Bowl — a recreational female flag football tournament — for the first time since 2018. The move coincided with the California’s Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section’s approval of girls’ flag football as an official high school sport in Southern California starting next fall. “In the past, the females at our school haven’t had the chance to shine in their athletic ability. And in previous tournaments we’ve had, like ‘March Madness,’ the boys who played just really dominated,” Associated Student Body Vice President Mia Torres said. “Honestly, as a girl, it’s upsetting to see. It’s just frustrating that the [Panther Bowl] was taken away because it was called sexist when I think that just wasn’t the case at all.” Following its announcement on Oct. 5, the Panther Bowl was an instant hit among female-identifying students. In just one day, around 120 players put their names down to participate and formed eleven organized teams. “I signed up because a bunch of my best friends and I thought it would be fun to play

in something that isn’t a sport in school,” Schmidt said. “It has also brought me closer to people I didn’t know before, so that’s pretty cool.” In the weeks that followed, the Panther Bowl evolved from a fun lunch activity into a fullblown competition: teams organized formal practices, devised strategies and made personalized jerseys. It was a brief, but informative glimpse into how girls’ flag football might operate as an official high school sport. “I think it has been fun and eye-opening to experience what it’s like to have roles reversed. I’m glad we had coaches from the football team as they are experienced with the sport and were very helpful and influential to our winnings,” freshman Ren Tsunehara said. With the CIF Northern Section set to vote on ratifying girls’ flag football as an official high school sport in January, they will very likely follow suit with the Southern Section. In that case, girls’ flag football would officially become sanctioned at Burlingame next fall. “After seeing the news I was pretty excited to potentially play next year or this year,” junior Lauren Cheng said. “I brought it up actually before the Panther Bowl announcement to one of my classmates, and she said she would join.” If it implements girls’ flag football, Burlingame would be following a larger nationwide trend. Participation in high school girls’ flag football nationwide has increased from 11,209 players in 2018-19 to 15,716 players in 2021-22, according to the Los Angeles Times. Moreover, 15 colleges across the country offer girls’ flag football as an official sport. “I think football becoming an official sport in [Southern California] is good because I played flag football from fourth to seventh grade, and I was the only girl in the league,” sophomore

Miranda Sibley said. While Sibley was an outlier on the middle school flag football field, she isn’t alone at Burlingame. If the success of the Panther Bowl proves one thing, it’s that an all-female flag football league is in high demand on campus. Now, the resources for girls’ flag football are trickling in across the nation. Last year, the National Football League and Nike provided a $5 million grant to kickstart the sport, and the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers initiated a pilot league with at least 70 schools expressing interest. And in a sport that doesn’t require the use of expensive helmets and pads, a little money goes a long way. “I might need some training equipment, some uniforms, flags, balls, I don’t think that would be too much of a hit on our budget,” athletic director and varsity football coach John Philipopoulos said. “I would also hope and expect our district would see that schools are adding girls’ flag football and would maybe help increase our budget a little bit to help offset that cost.” Since Congress signed the federal civil rights law Title IX in 1973, the treatment of females in sports has steadily become more equitable in public education programs. While many, including junior varsity soccer and varsity golf coach Michelle Riley, wish the approval of girls’ flag football had come sooner, it’s clear that the athletic landscape is finally shifting — and for the better. “I’m looking at how many kids came out to play and be part of [the Panther Bowl]. Watching the games, we have a lot of really talented players,” Riley said. “I feel like this is an opportunity also to have female coaches, because why not? Let’s go crazy, have some female representation all the way through.”

Coming off a phenomenal 2021 campaign in which Burlingame, led by a stellar senior trio, coasted to the Division III Central Coast Section title without dropping a single set, expectations for the following year’s varsity squad were uncertain. Last fall’s Panthers were an unstoppable force, but volleyball is a team game for a reason. Behind those three standouts — Emma Madden, Kristi Lee and Keegan Boyse — sat a group of strong and talented youth. Current juniors Morgan Toomey, Maddie Langlinais and Sophia Knifsend, along with senior Mallory Novitsky and sophomore Ella Duong, now run the show — fueled and inspired by their virtually flawless predecessors, who won 18 straight sets through 6 total games in the final stretch of the season. “They held us accountable in moments that we needed to be,” sophomore Ella Duong said about the former seniors. “I think that really helped us get our acts together.” This year’s Panthers finally managed to pull off the triumph that the program has been searching for since the fall 2019. In a highly-anticipated home game matchup against Hillsdale High School on Oct. 18, the Panthers beat the Knights 3-0, something last year’s dream team couldn’t even do. “We’ve grown a lot together, we are able to pick each other up better than we were before,” junior Sophia Knifsend said. “That Hillsdale game really boosted our energy and our ego.” In a fiercely competitive PAL Bay Division, Burlingame has remained in control. Their decisive Oct. 18 victory against Hillsdale helped them clinch the top spot in league play next to Aragon, and solidified them as the No. 5 team in the Central Coast Section (CCS), according to MaxPreps. Now on the back-end of the season, this team — full of players who are just halfway or less through their highschool careers — has exceeded all expectations. A preseason ranking by the Monterey Herald didn’t even list the Panthers in their honorable mentions for top 10 CCS teams. Given their impressive preseason and regular season (12-2 PAL Bay, 25-7 overall), the CCS volleyball committee moved the Panthers into the open division — something a Burlingame team hasn’t done since 2017 — and granted them the No. 7 seed. In a first round matchup against No. 2 seed Archbishop Mitty High School, Burlingame lost in straight sets. However, the team has not hung their hats up yet. Look to see Burlingame make noise in the CIF state playoffs in the coming weeks. “We have a really strong underclassmen which are vital to our team,” Knifsend said. “A lot of other teams are kind of dominant in their senior and junior population, so this helps to build our program.” Regardless of what bracket Burlingame gets placed in for states, the team’s future is brighter than ever. While starting libero Mallory Novistky will be departing from the program along with seniors Kennedee Clark, Sasha Grett and Nora Leslie, the rest of the starting lineup, as well as key underclassmen like Abbie Aufhauser, Jillian Kiniris and Ava Scatena, will likely return next fall. “We’re gonna come back next year and kill it,” Knifsend said.

OPINION

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

EDITORIAL

Your social media feed is partisan. So look elsewhere for news. BY THE BURLINGAME B

EDITORIAL BOARD

TikTok dances. Makeup tutorials. Clothing hauls. A highlight reel from the Warriors’ most recent game. People go on social media to decompress and escape reality, so it is no surprise that they gravitate toward light-hearted content. However, political content always wiggles its way in. Whether or not we want it to, infographics, heated videos and viral, divisive comments are ubiquitous

on our pages. Social media users, certainly teenagers, often aren’t prepared for a barrage of controversial and opinionated information — especially not intentionally one-sided videos and infographics that obscure nuance. That’s because algorithms show us content made by like-minded people, resulting in an avalanche of polarized stories. Inevitably, feeds reflect our environment: just as we live in a “liberal bubble” in the Bay Area, right-wing media thrives in con-

servative areas. Because these apps are often the primary source of information and news for teenagers, we let entertainment platforms determine our beliefs rather than considering the full scope of the issue. Social media is afflicted by more than a lack of nuance; our feeds also neglect issues that don’t have a “wow” factor to catch a viewer’s attention. Take the social media coverage of the Supreme Court case, heard on Oct. 31, that chal-

lenged affirmative action. Wait. It was barely featured on social media. Although the affirmative action decision will undoubtedly affect students, many knew little about the case. Why? Because it wasn’t at the top of their Instagram feeds. News and global issues don’t belong next to Target hauls; a “for you” page should not alternate between political commentary and a fall recipe. In doing so, the platforms understate the significance of current events.

We can’t blame users for the information on their feeds. However, we can control the sources we rely on and the effort we make to explore different perspectives. It is our responsibility to seek reliable sources that offer accurate and well-rounded stories. Don’t leave social media completely, but don’t be afraid to close the app. As we transition into adulthood, we must listen to the whole narrative, even if it doesn’t appear on our social media feed.

Accidents are more common than you think BY ELLIE NEUMAN

Staff Reporter

PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER BROS

BY ATHENA BOSTONMAER

Staff Reporter

Baz Luhrman’s “Elvis” is bringing the King of Rock n’ Roll back to life. Before watching the film, my knowledge of Elvis Presley started and ended with sparkling jumpsuits, iconic hair and a tragic death. While all of this is true, Austin Butler’s breathtaking performance shines light onto El-

ELVIS Staff Reporter

There was more buzz around “Smile” prior to its debut in theaters on Sept. 30 than any other recent horror movie — mostly due to great trailers and creative marketing, including planting actors at Major League Baseball games to grin spookily at the camera. “Smile” follows physiatrist Dr. Rose Cotter as she grapples with the aftermath of

PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING

“Rosaline” tosses aside the famous story of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” to tell the tale of Romeo’s jilted ex, Rosaline. Throughout the film, Rosaline attempts to tear Juliet, her love struck cousin, apart from Romeo. In the end, however, Rosaline realizes that her vindictive schemes are fruitless and instead fights to keep the

Staff Reporter

“Where the Crawdads Sing” adapts Delia Owen’s mystery novel, chronicling the story of Kya, an ostracized girl with an affinity for the Southern marshlands. When one of the two men she meets mysteriously dies, she is cast as the prime suspect of a murder investigation. The highlight of the film was its cinematogcouple together through family rivalries. Although the plot is overworked, playful dialogue in modern vernacular and the unexpected use of an American cast sets it apart from other adaptations. The accuracy of the set and costumes are also excellent nods to the original production. Overall, I think that moving Rosaline from the outskirts of the plot to center stage allowed her independence and individuality to develop over the course of the film.

raphy and soundtrack, which embodied the mystique of the marshy setting. However, the plot fell short: the characters, especially Kya, were reduced from nuanced personas to one-dimensional roles. The movie lacked depth that the book offered, neglecting its mystery aspects in favor of a sub-par romance story. Sadly, the movie fell victim to the trend of good books turning into bad movies.

Rosaline

At around 10:30 pm on Sept. 31, a speeding Toyota Prius slammed into two pedestrians walking in the crosswalk between California Drive and Oak Grove Avenue. While the Prius drove off into the night, paramedics immediately rushed both pedestrians to the hospital in critical condition. By the morning, one of them, Andree Peterson (58) of San Jose, had died. The other, a 63-year-old Burlingame resident, was seriously injured. Burlingame alumni and college freshman Aeres Polasek drove by the aftermath of the scene and watched recorded footage of the incident, where she saw one of the pedestrians roll off of the windshield and fly into the air. “I was kind of speechless,” Polasek said. “I needed a moment to… come back to myself.” Collisions — and fatalities — like these are more common than you think, and prove that even the quiet town of Burlingame can be dangerous for drivers, bikers and walkers. In fact, fatal automobile accidents are not unprecedented in Burlingame. In October last year, a speeding car on El Camino, slammed into a tree and completely flipped over. Three people were reportedly inside the vehicle, none of whom were wearing a seatbelt. Two were killed, and one was critically injured. Such accidents may seem unlikely, but there is a good chance

GRAPHIC BY SOPHIA BELLA

Senior Reporter

BY SOPHIA PUZON

SMILE

PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES

BY ARSHIA CHAKRAVARTTI

a disturbing incident at the psychiatric ward she works at. Is it psychosis or a spirit? Suspense builds throughout the movie, and plot twists abound. This is no teen slasher film. “Smile” leans heavily on jump scares, but they are meaningful and plot-focused. It stays engaging through its near two-hour run time, keeping the whole theater on the edge of their seats even after the credits roll.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES

BY DANNY CONWAY

vis’s entire legacy. Not only is the acting impeccable, but this movie’s soundtrack put classic Elvis songs back on billboards for the first time in 19 years. Overall, the film has a devoted cast and a soundtrack that exceeded all of my expectations, while also remaining historically accurate. From remarkable concerts to heartbreaking moments, it was impossible to take my eyes off the screen.

it could happen to any of us. Don’t believe me? In November 2020, I was hit by a car while crossing the street at Hillside Drive and Alvarado Avenue. The driver, distracted by kids in the back, launched me down a hill, where I luckily landed faceup. I wasn’t injured immediately; however, my fall widened a gap in my pelvic area, causing a piece of my growth plate to easily chip off this summer. Today, I can neither run nor play sports, largely because of the car accident. And it could have been far worse: If I landed on my neck, I could have easily been killed. I am now extra cautious when walking and driving on Burlingame’s streets. In fact, it’s crucial that we are all more cautious, especially given the appalling frequency of car accidents in California. According to Kenneth M. Sigelman and Pacin Levine Law Attorneys, around 77% of motorists in the U.S have been in at least one accident in their lifetime. So, more likely than not, you — if you are a driver — will get in some sort of collision at some point in your life. And Burlingame is not free from the reality of those statistics. “These accidents are very close to where I live,” Polasek said. “And I’ve heard of stories from others who have been hit or in other car accidents.” So please, next time you’re on the road, be careful because Burlingame’s next fatal accident could start with one drink, one text or one unstrapped seatbelt.

COMMUNITY

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

FASHION

Student entrepeneurs put the extra “pop” in Depop

GRAPHIC BY KRISTIE KIM

and knew others would want. “The app layout was a lot easier to use… I chose it because it was more catered towards teens and I can get it to my preferred audience,” Lin said. She remembers worrying initially that no one would purchase anything from her page. However, Lin gained more confidence after she sold her first item within a day. Scardino, on the other hand, had always been interested in fashion. She started buying items frequently from Depop at the beginning of 2020 and started selling in the summer. Determined to develop a uniform aesthetic for her page, Scardino includes descriptions for each item with important information and sizing. Her page, along with Lin’s, is filled with clothes like tank tops and corsets. “You kind of have to sell things that your followers will want to buy,” Scardino said. Both seniors are re-sellers,

which means that they buy items and sell them at a markedup price. Lin and Scardino purchase clothes for a low price at thrift stores or on second-hand selling apps like eBay and Poshmark. Over time, each has adopted strategies to draw Depop users to their shop. When in doubt, they often turn to trending clothes or popular aesthetics. “I remember during quarantine, for example, there was an era [where] corset tops were super popular,” Lin said. “And so I’d be listing all the corset tops at once, so people would be more likely to click on my page.” Given their success on Depop, both Lin and Scardino encourage other students to try entrepreneurship. Selling used items and purchasing them saves money, supports sustainability efforts and also gives owners a small glimpse into what running a business looks like. “It helps you with real life experiences too with customers,

GRAPHIC BY KRISTIE KIM

The online marketplace offers a sustainable alternative to Social Coordinator fast fashion, allowing teenagers When you hear the word De- and adults to buy and sell secpop, chances are you imagine ond-hand clothes and boutique the re-selling app’s bright red items. logo with the bold black font. Users can find their desired clothes by scrolling through their Depop feed or sifting through a list of similar recommended items. Behind all the seemingly endless options of clothing and accessories, however, are small-business owners from around the world — and some are walking the halls with you this year. Seniors Natalie Lin and Samantha Scardino each own a Depop shop where they sell primarily clothes. The two business owners stumbled upon Depop in different ways during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lin, whose love for fashion blossomed during quarantine, For Natalie Lin, Depop sparked initially came across the app an interest in studying business while searching for a place to sell items she no longer needed and fashion. BY KRISTIE KIM

From her experience selling on Depop, Samantha Scardino learned about business and customer service and hopes to start her own business in the future. like if they’re unhappy about something, you have to deal with that and really try to deal with it in a professional way,” Scardino said.

Youth activists make a difference, one philanthropic photo at a time BY RUBY ROSENQUIST

Staff Reporter

PHOTO COURTESY OF COMMUNITY PHOTOBOOTH PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE ROSARIO PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE ROSARIO

Top: Student photographers from The Community Photobooth pose for a group photo. Middle and Bottom: Example photos taken by The Community Photobooth team.

Based in San Francisco, The Community Photobooth is an entirely youth-led organization that raises funds to increase awareness about important issues in the Bay Area and beyond. The initiative merges photography and philanthropy to give youth a streamlined way to channel their creative expression — and make a difference in the world. Each high school photographer runs their own photo booth, where they specialize in certain areas of photography. Typically, the students offer to take senior portraits, family photos and sports pictures — or even just material for an aesthetic Instagram post. Because the profits are donated, people are incentivized to support the photographers. “By marketing photoshoots, we can promote issues we care about,” said junior Irene Chen, co-director of photography. “Proceeds then go to the charity we are fundraising for.” This month, they are zooming in on issues that matter within the Bay Area, specifically focusing on donating food to people who are less fortunate during the Thanksgiving season. Their actions ensure that every person in our community is supported. “I hope to see some sort of result, whether it be through monetary donations or telling stories,” said Chen. “Our team is really working together to create [a large scale] impact in support of all sorts of causes.”

Every year, the organization holds an annual Photoshoot Fundraiser, sending 100% of donations to a selected cause. For its 2022 fundraiser, the collective raised $13,000 to relaunch the National Alliance on Mental Health’s Ending the Silence Program, which brings mental health education to schools. “We have always hoped to create a positive impact in our community,” Chen said. “This year in particular we have focused on expanding our team and outreach.” Aside from their annual fundraiser, each month the organization chooses a different non-profit to send 50% of their Photobooth proceeds. In October, the Community Photobooth celebrated National Photographer Appreciation Month by partnering with the 24.02 Fund, which provides field training and equipment for photojournalists documenting the Russo-Ukrainian War. “While our overall goal is to help people, I think the more precise goal for me is to help people help people,” said Charlotte Rosario, founder and executive director of The Community Photobooth. “There is only so much a person can accomplish on their own but with a collective of community-focused, impact-seeking individuals, it is possible to go beyond the boundaries of our community.” The Community Photobooth’s impact is multifaceted: not only does it raise funds for service projects, the collective also trains young photographers to improve their camera skills and become better entrepre-

neurs. “I think that there is something very unique about capturing an experience in a photo,” Chen said. “Beyond the technical aspects, looking back at a photo should remind you of the moments leading up to and following the second the photo was taken.” Chen picked up photography as a sophomore in yearbook class. Despite having minimal experience, she put her hard work into action. A friend referred her to The Community Photobooth, and she saw it as a great way to make a tangible impact while doing something she loved. “It is beyond just donating profits to charity,” Chen said. “There is also a storytelling aspect of our organization that makes it so special.” Through their camera lens, both Chen and Rosario meet new people, hear new stories and understand complex identities. “As a portrait photographer, it is my job to meet new and interesting people and tell their stories through a photo,” Rosario said. “When I peer through the viewfinder of my camera I am studying my photo subject and asking them questions to make them feel comfortable.” According to Rosario, simple things like listening to her clients discuss their recent travels or offload stress can make a huge difference. “I have realized that our world doesn’t need one changemaker; we need everyone to be one too,” Rosario said. “That is why I love what I do.”

STUDENT LIFE

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Homecoming: a week to remember BY JOELLE HUYSMANS

Staff Reporter

Spirit week hind-the-scenes effort from the ASB cabinet and Leadership class. Leadership, aware that limited time threatens to disrupt their planning, begins brainstorming sessions as early as possible to pack the greatest number of elements into the week. “Homecoming week preparation typically starts two months in advance,” Haggarty said. “Only to prepare for the dance, the ASB already needs to meet once every week to discuss what needs to be done.” Preparing for and executing homecoming week also demands a hefty time commitment from every Leadership member. On the day of the LBG, they must arrive as early as 6 a.m. to decorate and deck out the field. From brainstorming theme ideas to hanging up posters, various aspects of event preparation prove to be daunting since there is so much to accomplish. “It does get overwhelming, which is why I’m so thankful for the team we have in Leadership,” Haggarty said.

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From managing spirit days and hanging up posters to selling merchandise and running lunch activities, Leadership is constantly juggling several tasks at once. But if there’s one week that demands a little bit of everything from them — brainstorming ideas, organizing events and working collaboratively with one another — it’s homecoming week. Driven by their goal to reinforce the spirit of the school community after two years of restricted celebrations due to COVID-19, the class prepared extensively to turn their vision for the week into reality. “The main purpose of these events is to bring people together; it really makes a difference in our school culture,” said Associated Student Body (ASB) Secretary and junior Cora Haggarty. Stretching from Monday, Oct. 31 to Saturday, Nov. 5, homecoming week featured numerous dressup spirit days, including a red-out and country day, in anticipation of Friday’s rally and the Panther Bowl. On Saturday, the final day of the festivities, students packed the stands for the Little Big Game (LBG) and dressed up for the traditional homecoming dance. Planning a week of fun and celebration requires months of be-

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On Thursday, Oct. 27, the marching band performed its field show with a choreographed performance of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” sending a loud and clear message: we’re back. Over the course of the next 10 minutes, the band brought out every trick in the book: mace spinning, pyramid stunts and even Britney Spears. After codrum major and senior Landon Stein conducted the final note of the show, the crowd roared in approval. “I think we’re knocking it out of the park right now,” Stein said. “We’re starting to have a come-

performance during future practices to prepare and keep the band in order. “I think it was the best performance we’ve had compared to all of the rehearsals we had,” Stein said. “I do think we’re gonna have to be even better during the Little Big Game. I think it’ll be fantastic.” According to Kon, much of their success is due to band director Kyoko Yamamoto. “[Yamamoto’s] been working the hardest through all this,” Kon said. “She’s worked through all the stress and injury trauma we’ve given her throughout this training experience.” Based on his experience in Burlingame’s band, Kon looks forward to a future in music.

Staff Reporter

back. Covid was really hard; a lot of people quit.” Marching band has been preparing for the Little Big Game for over two months, meeting at 7 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday. “Everyone’s been putting in a lot of work,” co-drum major and senior Jonathan Kon said. “I’m very proud of everyone in the band for learning on such short notice.” Although Stein said the band has struggled with coordination, he saw a large improvement during Thursday’s football game. “We could work on just being a little bit more professional. But overall, we’ve been doing pretty well,” Stein said. Stein hopes to refine their

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After months of practice, marching band steals the show BY ANA LUNAPARRA

dents the opportunity to be involved in something new, encouraging them to step beyond their comfort zone by taking part in events they wouldn’t be able to experience in a typical men-dominated context. “It’s just funny to see everyone running around, playing something that we usually wouldn’t be playing,” Panther Bowl participant and senior Malia Schimdt said.

Following a four-year break, female-identifying students found themselves active on the field once again with the chance to participate in the Panther Bowl, an annual tradition consisting of fun-filled football festivities. The event was a remarkable success as students flood in, either engaged in the athletic games on the field or cheering for their peers from the stands. By planning these activities, Leadership gives its female stu-

“I do hope to continue this in college,” Kon said. “It’s great being able to meet this group of kids…I love all of them, and they’ve honestly given me a place in the community I didn’t know I could have.” Kon expressed his gratitude for the opportunities the marching band has offered him. “Since [I started], I have had a chance to play the drums, play the trumpet, play the saxophone, play the bass,” Kon said. “I’ve learned so much… That’s why I stayed. I came for the music, and then I’m staying for the community.”