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What’s Inside:

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9 The path to D1

5 Unique student

4 Kelly and Slife join admin

soccer

instruments

12 New teacher profiles

URLINGAME B Issue 1 Vol 137

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

September 22, 2026

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New family center provides resources PHOTO BY JASON LU

McKinley Elementary transformed their transitional kindergarten room into a Family Resource Center with various resources for the community. BY JASON LU

Online Editor BY ANDREW BARRERA Diversity Coordinator Upon noticing an increase in families needing support, Burlingame School District (BSD) Superintendent Marla Silversmith decided to reshape the transitional kindergarten room at McKinley Elementary into a Family Resource Center. On

Aug. 10, the Family Resource Center opened, creating a space where families could seek resources and help. The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provided California districts over $14 million during the 2025-26 school year to fund educational access for homeless students, but it was insufficient to meet many California districts’ needs, according to Edsource. On June 26, 2026, the Cali-

fornia Legislature passed a one-time, three-year $116 million grant in the 2026-27 state budget dedicated to supporting homeless students. The Family Resource Center serves as a BSD community hub, connecting families with economic aid, legal aid, and transportation services. Additionally, the resource center provides immediate resources such as shirts, sweats, underwear, socks, backpacks, and hygiene kits. Currently, the resource center is open at McKinley on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Although the center recently opened, BSD’s Coordinator of Engagement Gigi Gonzalez, who works at the Family Resource Center alongside nurse Rosie Bratt-Perief, said each day has been a little different and conversations range from casual to emotional. “I feel like sometimes the conversations are heavy,” Gonzalez said. “Sometimes the stories can be heavy. It’s not always positive, but I

See “CENTER,” page 2

See in “SCHOOLWIDE CHANGES,” pages 6/7

Several changes have been implemented at Burlingame since the start of the school year, such as the new phone policy, new classes, campus-wide classroom renovations, resurfaced tennis courts, and additional staff parking spaces. The Burlingame B spoke with students and staff to get the perspective of the school community on the effects of these changes. The B also conducted a schoolwide survey with 132 respondents for specific opinions and statistics.

El Camino progresses

Center helps district community

Road project causes lane restrictions

From pg. 1

PHOTO BY JONAH MOSS

BY JONAH MOSS

Business Manager

PHOTO BY JASON LU

In January of 2026, the El Camino Roadway Renewal Project began construction. The $173 million project is sponsored by Caltrans, a state of California department that manages transportation. The project aims to reduce flooding, improve sidewalks, and increase visibility on the road by 2029, which involves replacing hundreds of the street’s distinctive eucalyptus trees with other species. Due to construction, portions of the road have been limited to one lane in each direction. Senior Jamison de Jesus said driving along El Camino Real plays a major role in his day-today life, which has created issues now that the project is underway. “It’s just a lot harder to go to school now,” de Jesus said. “It’s a lot harder to go to the mall. I feel like a lot of people, including myself, just dodge El Camino because of all the setbacks it has on it.” Public Works Director Chris Lamm said this is likely to be a lasting reality, with a majority of the project’s phases involving lane reductions and restricted left turns. “Any road construction project has impacts on the public and the ability to get places as fast as everyone would like, but I think at the end of the day the work is necessary and the project team is trying to get the project completed with as little impact as possible,” Lamm said. In the face of negative reactions, Burlingame Mayor Michael Brownrigg said the project’s outcomes will outweigh its problems. “There’s places where the sidewalk is absolutely impassable,” Brownrigg said. “… [After this project] there will be beautiful sidewalks where you can walk and push a stroller, and there will be a beautiful tree canopy… and Burlingame will once again be an iconic stretch of El Camino. So yes, I think it’s worth every ounce of inconvenience.”

Construction on El Camino Real causes lane restrictions at the intersection of El Camino and Fairfield Road. On Sept. 16 and 17, there was a full road closure on El Camino Real between Rosedale Avenue and Carmelita Avenue from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with accessibility to Broadway. Not everyone thinks these inconveniences are worth the outcome. Senior Joseph Silk said he has also been negatively affected by the construction.

Any road construction project has impacts on the public and the ability to get places as fast as everyone would like.” - Chris Lamm, Public Works Director

“I think that the construction they’re doing at El Camino creates a lot of traffic, especially in the morning and after a lot of the schools in Burlingame get out,” Silk said. “It blocks up a lot of traffic on Broadway because that’s the alternative route instead of El Camino, and so when I’m going to school in the morning or coming home, it’s just a lot of traffic.”

The eucalyptus trees lining El Camino Real were a large part of the conversation surrounding the construction. Burlingame Historical Society President Jennifer Pfaff emphasized the historical significance the trees carry. “In 2012, [the tree rows] became part of the [National Register of Historic Places],” Pfaff said. “So they’re very special, and Burlingame identifies with them … So it’s not as easy as saying, ‘Just take them down and be like everybody else,’ because we’ve never really been like everyone else...” Pfaff said she is happy with the project in its current form. “Caltrans was going to have to do something anyway at some point because things were not improving…” Pfaff said. “It’s unfortunate we had to wait all this time to do it, but I do feel that the end result, hopefully, will justify everything we went through.” At this stage, de Jesus said he has grown to tolerate the construction, but is still unhappy with it. “Now I’m used to it because we’re a year in and there’s still some heavy construction,” de Jesus said. “So I’m used to it, but… I shouldn’t even be used to it in my opinion.” GRAPHIC BY ABBY ZARAHN

definitely see a lot of value in what I do, and I know that I am trying to help the families. There’s definitely no shame, no judgment in a lot of the conversations that I have. So I just try to be as authentic and genuine with them as I can because I would want to be treated that way if I was going through something tough.” Over the summer, McKinley staff received training to identify students who are experiencing homelessness. Second-grade Spanish immersion teacher Elaine Tarango said the training was valuable in helping teachers recognize students who need help. “I think we’re experiencing a time where there’s a lot of insecurities in their income, family, home insecurities, food insecurities,” Tarango said. “So for us to be able to recognize if a child needs [help], it’s a good thing. We have the resources here to help them, and we’re the first line. We get to see the kids daily, and ultimately that affects them academically, socially, emotionally. So it’s good for us to be aware of it.” Senior and McKinley alumn Marcos Pineda Wright said student behavior can shift due to stress from hardships, making a Family Resource Center necessary to help students learn more effectively. “So I think that having a resource center that relieves, alleviates some of that stress can not only help the parents but can help the students in the classroom to feel more safe and more cushioned for their education,” Pineda Wright said. McKinley Secretary Laurie Soohoo hopes the center can eventually provide childcare services, including an after-school care program, to support working parents. “Another thing I would like to see is childcare because a lot of parents struggle with finding childcare because the parents work at jobs,” Soohoo said. Soohoo, having seen families face challenges throughout her nine years at McKinley, emphasized the center’s importance. “I think it’s wonderful for the community because there are some families that are in need of clothing or blankets or food that we don’t know about,” Soohoo said.

The Family Resource Center has dedicated seating and entertainment such as crayons and drawing books for children.

September 22, 2026

News

September 22, 2026

BY THE BURLINGAME B STAFF GRAPHICS BY EMMA YU AND ABBY ZARAHN

Local: Baskin-Robbins closes After 62 years of business, Burlingame Avenue’s Baskin-Robbins location permanently closed on Tuesday, Sept. 15. A banner hung outside the store, dedicating its farewell “In Loving Memory of Victoria,” the franchise owner since 1979.

National: Super El Niño expected This year’s El Niño recently transitioned into a “super” El Niño, defined by ocean surface temperatures 2 or more degrees Celsius above normal, according to CNN. Ocean temperatures are predicted to peak between November and January, with the potential for this year to have the strongest El Niño ever reported.

International: Iran war continues The Houthis, a Yemeni military organization fighting for Iran in the ongoing war, captured the small island of Perim on Friday, Sept. 11. Perim splits the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a major shipping route connecting Europe and Asia. On Monday, Sept. 14, Houthis also claimed to have aerially attacked Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid Air Base.

Sports: U.S. Open concludes The U.S. Open took place in New York City from Aug. 23 to Sept. 13. On the men’s singles side, German Alexander Zverev won his second Grand Slam victory over American Ben Shelton, 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2. On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan, took the title over Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

AP language exams shift BY CHIARA WESLEY

Multimedia Editor

PHOTO BY JOSIE WETTAN

News Briefs

News

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Culture exams — Spanish, Italian, French, German, Chinese, and Japanese — will introduce a completely revamped free-response section. While the multiple-choice reading and listening portions will remain unchanged, students will now complete a research-based project that culminates in a three-minute recorded presentation and question-and-answer portion on the exam. This will replace the Students brainstorm inventions to improve society in Stephen Held’s AP Spanish Language class. simulated conversation and the two-minute cultural comparison ask you about the educational syspast summer, an AP Spanish Lanpresentation that were formerly tem … if we hadn’t talked about it guage and Culture pilot exam was on the exam. The exams have also in class, you’re out of luck.” provided to former students, while fully transitioned from paper to a To senior Ruby Gemmer, who AP Italian Language and Culture digital format. took AP Spanish Language and teachers and students have yet to For AP Spanish Language and Culture her sophomore year, the receive a similar opportunity. She Culture teacher Stephen Held, the new test format seems easier for now plans to incorporate more changes mean rethinking years of non-native speakers. presentations and research into routine preparation and the class “They will be class to prepare students for the curricula. able to prepare new speaking assessment. “My initial reacMy initial reacahead of time and “You’ll have to be able to know tion was, ‘Oh man, tion was, ‘Oh know what they’re your topic well and have to be this is going to be a going to say,” able to respond to something that lot of work,’” Held man, this is going you should know more in depth,” said. “That means to be a lot of work.’ Gemmer said. “It sounds like it’s Schaffer said. “I guess you have to having to recreate a That means having going to be a lit- have better research skills.” lot of material and tle bit more work The semester-long project also teach things differ- to recreate a lot of for people to preraises questions about the role of ently.” material and teach pare for the test artificial intelligence. Both teachIn January things differently.” but it will pay off ers noted that AI has rapidly ex2027, the College panded since the redesigned exam Board will release - Stephen Held, AP Span- because then they will know what to was first developed. a research question ish Language and Culsay.” After attending a conference and several sources ture teacher For AP Italian regarding these changes, Held said centered around Language and Culture teacher Casthe College Board implemented this year’s broader topic of music. sandra Schaffer, she is approaching the new project because college Students will have months to prethe transition with more uncerprofessors said they wanted inpare for the released topic. tainty. coming students to be able to reDespite the adjustment, Held “I’m not happy,” Schaffer said. search in the target language. As believes the new format could “I just started teaching AP Italthe new format takes effect, its make the exam more fair. Previian last year, and so I just learned impact on students — and the role ously, cultural comparison could it. And I’m like, ‘Oh God, now we AI will play in it — remains to be require students to discuss a vast have to change it.’” seen. range of topics. Schaffer said teachers currently “I think they started to make “It could be on environmental lack many of the resources that exthese changes years ago, and I policies, and if that’s something isted for the previous exam, includthink since then AI has just exthat we study in class, you would ing examples of student work. This ploded,” Held said. do great,” Held said. “But if they

September 22, 2026

Features

Breaking Down the Walls

Students connect, reflect, and branch out GRAPHIC BY EMMA YU

was actually going on at the school, and the problems that some people are facing.” Similarly, Assistant Principal Chad Slife viewed the Between Aug. 25 and 28, event as a rare opportunity to Breaking Down the Walls better understand school culbrought together hundreds of ture beyond everyday interacunderclassmen in activities tions. He attended one session designed to encourage reflec- as a participant to experience tions and interactions among the social environment firstpeers. hand, which helped him build Early exercises included connections with students exone-on-one games, finding tending beyond the event. common ground, and shar“It was good, for both quaning stories about the origins titative and qualitative data, to of students’ names. The day just see how many and certain culminated stories that in “Cross they share,” I believe that the Line,” Slife said. “I we should be an activigot to meet ty where doing this more ofa lot more s t u d e n t s ten throughout the students, silently especially school year as well stepped the day that f o r w a r d because it’s a good I was parwhen an starting point, but we ticipating. increasing- need to have conNow, I have ly personal really great stant reminders to statement relationapplied to see positive change.” ships with them, makmore stuing experi- - Kaleo Tapio, senior and dents beences visi- student leader cause I got ble without to be with requiring verbal explanations. them all day.” “The final activity where Scott, however, felt that the you have to cross the line if limited time and simpler topthe [statement] applies to you ics made forming long-lasting was very insightful because we connections difficult. weren't allowed to talk during “I don't think I remember it, and we weren't allowed to a single person that I talked stand near our friends," soph- with that day, just because we omore Henry Scott said. “It got maybe five to like ten minkind of opened my eyes, and I utes with them,” Scott said. “I think a lot of others', to what feel like you don't get to know

PHOTO BY EMMA YU

BY EMMA YU Design Editor BY SCARLETT KO Senior Reporter

Students stand in facing lines and socialize with one another in a partner bonding exercise during Breaking Down the Walls on Aug. 25. someone enough to be like, ‘Hey, do you want to hang out after this?’ in that short of a period. Especially answering the questions that we did — like, you're not gonna make a connection.” Freshman Narayan Bajaj said the program positively changed the way he interacted with others, though its impact also depended on students taking its lessons to heart. “I will 100% try to be more empathetic, be kinder,” Bajaj said. “I say hi to more people in the halls... But to make it as powerful as it can be, the kids really need to internalize what they've learned there, and that's hard to do.”

Senior and student leader Kaleo Tapio said that students seemed engaged and energetic, and student leaders helped to maintain that environment. “So far, everyone's doing really well. I like the energy,” Tapio said. “Sometimes I know it's really difficult for people to talk and interact with each other, but I think that as long as us student leaders keep the energy high, everyone will follow.” While the event can give students a push to branch out from cliques, Tapio noted that repeated activities throughout the year are needed to reinforce the message. “It’s a good start, but I

don’t think it’s enough,” Tapio said. “I believe that we should be doing this more often throughout the school year as well because it’s a good starting point, but we need to have constant reminders to see positive change.” Regardless, Slife emphasized that sustaining the program’s message requires continued effort from everyone beyond the event. “I think that it's every individual's responsibility, including myself, to show empathy and be willing to listen to others' perspectives, take time before we react,” Slife said. “But it's everyone's responsibility to be better human beings.”

Principal Lauren Kelly has spent over 33 years working with students. Throughout her career, Kelly has served as a principal, vice-principal, and teacher of math, science, and P.E. for middle and high schools. Kelly said she hopes to learn everything she can about the school and listen to the community. “I think my job as an administrator, oftentimes, is to listen to all the different things that are coming at me, and to try and open doors for others to make it a better place, and to try and solve any challenges we might have,” Kelly said. According to Kelly, the staff and students have impressed her so far. Kelly said the staff worked hard to get their classrooms set up for school and are committed to creating a positive educational environment for their students. She also said the students have demonstrated a desire to learn. “It seems apparent to me that everyone shows up and is very serious about their education. I love the staff; they are incredibly committed to what they do. I think the district is amazing.” Kelly said. In the past, Kelly said she was a semi-professional water skier; however, she ultimately stopped due to frequent injuries among her peers. “It was fun and thrilling and crazy dangerous, so I stopped because some

pecially our staff and students too, in making sure they have everything they need to have welcoming, functional classrooms and learning spaces.” Outside of school, Slife loves athletics, watching T.V. and sports, reading books, and spending time with family. “Running is my number one, anything working out at the gym, anything related to health and fitness is probably my biggest hobby. Outside of that, I love to read; I am a huge reader. I also love watching reality television and sports, mostly baseball and football,” Slife said.

people got hurt one year when I was racing, and I thought I didn't want to end up like that,” Kelly said. Furthermore, outside of teaching, Kelly said she enjoys hiking and hanging out with family and friends. “I love my dog, I have this crazy stinking five-year-old cattle dog who loves to run. I love hiking. I love hanging out with family and friends. I love kayaking, especially out in Half Moon Bay, which I think is beautiful… I love going to the movies, I have been reading a lot recently, and I have really enjoyed that,” Kelly said.

New Assistant Principal Chad Slife describes himself as having been an involved high school student who grew up in California. He worked as ASB president for his senior year and participated in sports and theater. As an adult, he has been working in a school environment for 25 years. Slife was previously a middle school teacher, middle school assistant principal, and elementary school principal. Slife said he loves the beauty of Burlingame and the friendliness of students and staff. “First of all, I just love the physical beauty of our school and our neighborhood. I think we are in a very special place in the Bay. I have just been so impressed by how friendly and respectful everyone is — students, staff, families — and I really feel a sense of pride and love for our school and community, and I really love having strong school pride.” Slife said. Slife said part of his current role has been communicating with staff and students to ensure they feel supported, especially with the challenges of new facilities. “There´s a lot of challenges around our facilities and our buildings, we have that huge remodel,” Slife said. “So it is just making sure I am supporting, es-

PHOTO BY AKIRA NAKAMURA

BY AKIRA NAKAMURA Managing Editor

PHOTO BY AKIRA NAKAMURA

Kelly and Slife join administrative staff

GRAPHICS BY EMMA YU

September 22, 2026

Features

Relay for Life unites community Participants connect over the impact of cancer GRAPHIC BY CHANTAL LAY

When junior Zeina Badran was only 5 years old, she received life-changing news. Her dad was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. During his chemotherapy, Badran said she remembers visiting her father in the hospital and witnessing the crippling effects of cancer. “I saw him just lying on the bed, and then he just lifted his head, and I never saw my dad like that before, because he was always so strong and always there, and seeing him in that state was really shocking,” Badran said. This moment, combined with her later interest in medicine, led Badran to join Burlingame’s American Cancer Society (ACS) branch — where she eventually became club president — and also create the clubs Cookies for Kids’ Cancer and Diabetes Asians Resources Education (DARE) Diabetes. Last year, Burlingame’s ACS branch and Music for Memory clubs attended the North Peninsula location of Relay for Life, a yearly event hosted by the national ACS organization dedicated to fundraising for cancer research by bringing together community organizations, schools, and individuals.

At the event, teams created booths, collecting donations through activities or by selling products. At the same time, other team members walked in loops around an oval track to symbolize that cancer never sleeps, honoring those fighting cancer daily. This year, Badran coordinated participation for Relay for Life of North Peninsula on Sept. 12 for Burlingame clubs such as Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, DARE Diabetes, National Alliance

Even though there is no cure for cancer, a lot of what we can do is spread awareness, advocate, and show that we’re still battling it.” - Zeina Badran, junior on Mental Illness, and Youth Movement against Alzheimer’s. Badran said she appreciated all the clubs for attending the event and that it was meaningful for people impacted by cancer. “Us coming together, us being there, it’s like we’re fighting [cancer] all of us together, because we’re all standing against

it. We’re raising awareness for what we know about this terrible disease, and if someone affected by cancer and this terrible disease sees how many people are supporting them in this cause… even having an ounce of hope, [they] can beat the battle,” Badran said. At just 2 years old, Gianluca Bettuchi was diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, which is found in around one out of every million children aged 1 to 4 in the United States, according to the National Library of Medicine. Ever since his recovery two years later, Bettuchi and his family have been attending Relay for Life of North Peninsula. Karen Bettuchi, Gianluca’s mother and lead volunteer coordinator for Relay for Life of the North Peninsula, helped to organize the event and was responsible for outreach to various local organizations and schools. Karen said she was really excited to see Burlingame clubs take part in the event and incorporate activities engaging kids. “There’s many more kids, much more activity going on. I love the games and the different fun things to get the kids and the rest of the community involved. And so I’m just really encouraged,” Karen said. Junior and ACS club mem-

PHOTO BY JASON LU

BY JASON LU Online Editor

Burlingame students fundraise for the American Cancer Society by selling homemade desserts. ber Wunpang Hu, who lost his grandfather to cancer, said he participated in the event to get a better grasp on the disease and its impacts on the community. “I wanted to do it this year because I want to explore the types of cancer in our society and show respect to all the people whose family or their close ones [who have] been unfortunately taken away because of cancer,” Hu said. ACS Treasurer Brian Wang said that advertising the event to Burlingame students could increase community participation.

“[We could make] use of social media more, and maybe incentivizing treats or something if you’re a BHS student and if you show up, we might give you something just to show up and have support,” Wang said. Motivated to attend and spread the importance of events like Relay for Life of North Peninsula, Badran said that student participation can generate hope for those affected by cancer. “Even though there is no cure for cancer, a lot of what we can do is spread awareness, advocate, and show that we’re still battling it,” Badran said.

Here comes treble: Students play unique instruments O PH

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Otamatone is that everything has to be slightly off…The point Senior Reporter of an Otamatone is that it’s not Have you ever seen an Otasupposed to sound good. That’s matone? How about a double why it’s funny. That’s why it’s an bass? A bassoon? Otamatone. So I don’t practice,” These instruments may Foo said. sound foreign, but they are a Even among orchestra memsource of joy for students Evebers, Foo said that people don’t lyn Hon, Scarlett Ko, and Shonknow what an Otamatone is. Foo na Foo. was surprised by this, as she beHon, who is a senior, plays lieves the Otamatone “[is] on the alto saxophone, the tenor a tier where it can be compared saxophone, the contrabass, and with a kazoo.” the piano. In her freshman year, Music Director Kyoko Yamashe decided to pick up the moto said that finding stubassoon. dents who play unusual inI have had zero re“I went to Ms. Yamamoto, struments has been difficult. grets about picking A bassoonist herself, she enthe band director, and was like, ‘Can I play [baritone up the [bassoon]. It’s courages students to pick up sax]?’ And she was like, honestly one of the best unconventional instruments ‘We don’t need any more, to be more easily placed in but why don’t you try the bas- choices I’ve made in music ensembles. high school.” soon?’” Hon said. “Rare instruments get you Hon said she had not heard funding,” Yamamoto said. - Evelyn Hon, senior of the bassoon previously, and “That’s why I tell them when was “picturing having to carI want them to learn difficult ry this humongous thing into “Basically, imagine if a music instruments, ‘Hey, you are cov[her] car.” However, after years note came to life, imbued in plas- ered.’” of playing, Hon said she enjoys tic, with two dots for eyes and a The bassoon, double bass, and the bassoon more than any of mouth, and when you squeeze Otamatone could not be more her other instruments. the mouth by its side, it starts different. However, all three mu“When I practiced [piano], singing like opera,” Foo said. sicians agree on one thing: they I would count; I would be like, Foo shares Ko’s dislike for have no regrets about picking ‘Oh, I hit 60 minutes, yay! I practicing, but for a different rea- their instrument. don’t feel guilty about not prac- son. Despite performing in front “I have had zero regrets about ticing.’ But for bassoon, I’m of orchestra peers, Foo abstains picking up the [bassoon],” Hon genuinely practicing to get bet- from practicing to preserve the said. “It’s honestly one of the ter,” Hon said. “essence” of the Otamatone. best choices I’ve made in high Unlike Hon, junior and dou“I believe that the essence of school.” BY LEIA BURLINGHAM

BURLINGHAM

ble bassist Ko said she does not enjoy practicing her double bass. However, she said she prefers the double bass over the piano because of its size. “My favorite thing is because it’s very big, and I feel like when I’m carrying that, I just feel like that’s very comforting,” Ko said. Foo, a junior, plays the violin, the piano, and the Otamatone. At 11 inches, the Otamatone resembles a string instrument, featuring a touch-sensitive controller to play notes.

Schoolwide

Summer up

Changes included a phone pouch policy, two new classes, and campus-wide renovations

Campus implements QuietCase policy The new “bell-to-bell” cell phone policy at Burlingame went into full effect on Aug. 21. The policy requires students to lock their cell phones and other smart devices in QuietCase lockable phone pouches from the beginning of the school day to dismissal. QuietCases are unlocked with a magnet inside a wall-mounted locked box that only teachers can open. Students have expressed worries about the inaccessibility of the unlocking mechanisms. Senior Ben Sakal said it raises concerns during emergencies, when students may need to easily contact their parents or guardians. “Obviously, the biggest [concerns] that I think most people will touch on is what happens in case of emergency, especially because if it’s dire enough to the point where teachers won’t be able to unlock their magnets and everyone

[can’t get] their phones, then people will just have no form of communication, especially if they’re out in the bathroom, there’s no one to tell them that there’s an emergency going on,” Sakal said. Some teachers, such as English teacher Brian Clack, see the positive effects of the policy, noting that much fewer students are staring down at their phones in hallways. “The other thing that’s been awesome is that I would sit here in this room and watch as people cross through the door path out there, and it’s literally like zombies in the hallway as they just walk and stare at their phone,” Clack said. “And I’ve been really happy to see a lot less of that this year.” The first time a student fails to comply with the policy, they

must place their device back in the QuietCase, and the teacher fills out a referral form. On the second and third offense, the teacher will fill out the form again and call the office, and the device will be kept in A134 until the end of the day. After the fourth offense, the student must keep their device in the office during school every day, and the device must be retrieved by a parent or guardian at the end of the school day.

This summer, Burlingame m rooms as part of the district Transformation Project. The changes to classroom lighting and technology across the scho The renovations began afte ended and were completed students returned. Classroom flooring and ceiling tiles, dimm repainted walls, and upgrade replaced fiber-optic cables. walls were also added to each Junior Andy Linghu said marked a noticeable improvem previous years.

BY ANDREW BARRERA Diversity Coordinator BY ADDISON CHU Copy Editor BY ABBY ZARAHN Sports Editor

One way it could change that would still be beneficial is if we could unlock our QuietCases during passing periods or during breaks, but then lock it again when we’re in class.” - Charlotte Wong, freshman

ff about a t s d n sa student . 2 3 1 d e k e B as e policy n m o a h g p n i l w r The Bu ions on the ne ts n i studen k n i their op h t Do you e allowed to g b should phones durin s ir use the unch, and pas l , brunch ds? io ing per Yes No

o 5, how t 1 f o e al On a sc el about the I fe do you ne policy? (1 o t new ph e it, 5 - I don’ ik really l all) t like it a

It’s like you would expect [students] to be more focused without their phones, but I feel like they’re just dreading not having their phones.” - Teeda Tech, sophomore

Renovated I think it demonstrates a message of distrust between teachers and students, and it feels very strict in the way that they don’t think that we’re capable of following the rules, or not being on our phones...” - Ben Sakal, senior

The newly renovated tennis ing a new playing surface and c lines, have given Burlingame’s a safer facility after previous teriorated, exposing sand, ripp weeds. Girls’ tennis head coach S Druskin said the previous co safe to play on due to the surfa “When you see what the co now, you realize just how ba courts were,” Higgins Druskin Despite the new surface i the portable classrooms next continue to limit the number o able for competition. Accordi Druskin, only six courts are cu for matches, while a full match

e Changes

pgrades shift classrooms and increase staff parking spots

modernized classt-wide Classroom e project brought g, flooring, walls, ool. er last school year just days before ms received new mable LED lights, ed Wi-Fi through Two whiteboard classroom. the renovations ment compared to

“It’s a nice refresher for everyone,” Linghu said. “I honestly think it was needed, considering the old classrooms were worn down, and I’ve noticed some of the walls cracked.” Italian teacher Cassandra Schaffer, who moved into a different classroom following the renovations, said the transition went smoothly despite the limited preparation time. “I thought it was really smooth. I thought that they did a very good job, and I was really impressed in what they got done in the time frame available,” Schaffer said. However, Schaffer said some features limited how she could arrange her new classroom. “Definitely they were thinking about teach-

ers, but I think when you’re setting up classrooms really long term, things [like] where the teacher’s desk [goes] and where the TV goes are really important because it’s stuck there,” Schaffer said. “I would have liked somebody to come in and say, ‘where do you want this going in here?’” As part of the renovations, additional parking spaces were added to improve parking availability for teachers. Spanish teacher Sophie Abitbol said finding parking spaces had been a challenge before the additional spaces were added. “I know that when teachers [came] in later, it was really hard to find a spot. And a couple

* Classroom renovations and phone pouches are being implemented schoolwide.

times last year, when I had appointments and had to arrive later, it took me a really long time to find a space,” Abitbol said. Abitbol said students sometimes parked in staff-only spaces, adding to the limited parking available for teachers. She said the additional staff spaces could reduce the parking conflict between students and staff. “I think sometimes students come here very early for training or practice, and they sometimes park in the staff-only spots, thinking that it’s okay. So I think having more spaces for staff hopefully alleviates that for students,” Abitbol said.

AP Physics C Due to increased student demand, Advanced Placement (AP) Physics C was added as a new science course, serving as an alternative pathway to AP Physics 1. “It’s something students have wanted for a while, and kids were asking for it because if they go into STEM majors in college, they need to take calculus-based physics,” physics teacher Hannah Korslund said. “That algebra-based physics that we had before was serving a lot of students, but students that wanted to go into more math-heavy STEM careers were not feeling as prepared going into college.” Junior Justin Chow, who is currently enrolled in AP Physics C, said that adding the class gives students an additional opportunity to challenge themselves. “It gives people more chances to prove themselves, kind of see how far they can push themselves to take harder courses,” Chow said. Korslund hopes students can understand the real-world applications of calculus and physics in the course. “I hope that they have fun. I think that it’s a lot of value to see real-world applications of calculus, and I know that there are a lot of parallels between calculus classes and physics applications,” Korslund said.

Digital Media Arts GRAPHICS BY EMMA YU

tennis courts improve player safety

s courts, featurclear boundary s tennis teams courts had deped fabric, and

Sheila Higgins ourts were not ace conditions. ourts look like ad those other said. improvements, t to the courts of courts availing to Higgins urrently usable h requires seven

courts to be played simultaneously. “When we make it to [Peninsula Athletic League championships] or [Central Coast Section Championships], we never have home court advantage because we don’t have enough available courts,” Higgins Druskin said. Boys’ tennis head coach Doug Stone said the team has remained resilient by using courts in San Mateo for home matches. However, he wants the portables removed to make room for an eighth court, allowing the team to host more competitions at Burlingame. “We’ve done a really good job of using San Mateo and making it our home,” Stone said. “At the end of the day, you want to play at home. [Burlingame] is where we want to be.” PHOTO BY ANDREW BARRERA

The new Digital Media Arts class aims to equip students with skills in graphic design, video production, and digital photography, expanding upon other Career Technical Education (CTE) courses offered on campus. “Just understanding fundamentals and basics in digital media arts is a good baseline,” Digital Media Arts teacher Henry Francisco said. “Whether you’re going to go into the media field, doing video production, digital photography, you understand the basics of digital media arts.” So far, students have been learning basic principles such as concept art, color theory, the rule of thirds, and other topics that Francisco said apply to every form of visual media. According to freshman Antonio Sarubbi, a student in Digital Media Arts, expanding elective offerings is a positive change for the school. “I feel like diversifying classes is really good, especially since a lot of people have different opinions and like different things,” Sarubbi said.

September 22, 2026

Sports

Rosić’s journey to professional soccer BY AKIRA NAKAMURA

Managing Editor

After first starting his competitive soccer career at Burlingame Soccer Club when he was seven, senior Luka Rosić now plays professional soccer for the Oakland Roots. The Oakland Roots play in the second tier of American soccer, called the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, below Major League Soccer (MLS). Despite playing professionally, Rosić has balanced asynchronous learning at Burlingame since his freshman year, when he left to play for the San Jose Earthquakes Academy, an elite youth development program. Rosić said his time playing in the Earthquakes Academy was helpful as he was exposed to a more competitive environment. Following his time in San Jose, Rosić left to play for the Colorado Rapids academy, where he was given the opportunity to train with the Rapids professional MLS NEXT Pro team, in the third tier of American soccer. “That is when I first started being part of the main team, the professional team in Colorado, I kind of got into that environment at an early age and that

helped me also develop. Just training daily with professional players, older players, definitely helped me,” Rosić said.

are his decision-making, passing, and ability to progress the ball forward as a midfielder. In February, Rosić transitioned to training with the Roots, in the USL Championship. Rosić said this transfer has been beneficial for his growth as a player, because the USL Championship features a mixture of older veterans as well as younger players like Rosić. “I would say there is always that jump to a professional team, regardless of how high level academy players might be. There is always that jump to professional players, professional teams, just because it might be their experience, or their physical attributes. They are stronger, faster, they play faster as well,” Rosić said. Although Rosić primarily plays center midfielder, during his time in Oakland he developed versatility, learning a new secondary position as a right back. Rosić believes this change has been helpful in inĆ SI creasing his understanding of RO A K the game. LU OF Y “I would say it wasn’t diffiES T UR CO cult, I would say it is more so O OT PH A c - helpful just because you get to cording to see the game from a different Rosić, his position, I guess from a differstrengths ent angle. So it was definitely

just helpful for my development Russian national team in Serbia. as well,” Rosić said. Rosić was happy with the opDespite being one of the portunity to test himself at the youngest players, Rosić played international level. in two games for Oakland and “I would say many of those was rostered for multiple more players are, if not already progames throughout the season. fessionals, they are soon to be “In the games I played, they professionals. So I would say were definitely good for me to it is definitely a similar level to get minutes in that environ- some professional teams,” Rosić ment. I felt good, I felt comfort- said. able, so that was good. I definiteNext season, Rosić said he ly do hope to continue to build could play for the Brazilian on that just to get more minutes Série A team Grêmio, which under my would be a large belt,” Rosić step up from the So in the next said. USL ChampionWhen ship. According five years, my he is not Rosić, his ulmain goal is to play to playing for timate goal is to the main professionally in play among the R o o t s Europe, one of the “Big Five” Euroteam, Ros- top five leagues. ” pean leagues: the ić gets adPremier League ditional (England), La - Luka Rosić, senior minutes Liga (Spain), Serie playing for A (Italy), Bundethe Oak- land Roots sec- sliga (Germany), and Ligue 1 ond team Project 510, which (France). competes in USL League Two. “So in the next five years, my According to Rosić, this pro- main goal is to play professiongram has helped him maintain ally in Europe, one of the top game conditioning throughout five leagues. So that is my main the season. goal… I am not really rushing it, Outside of the club, Rosić but whenever that comes to fruis also on the under 18 Serbian ition, that would be great to play National team, where he played in Europe professionally,” Rosić in two friendlies against the said.

Bay Area adds five new professional women’s sports and milestones in the past three years. The Golden State Valkyries, who are only in their second season in the Women’s The rise of women’s profesNational Basketball Associasional sports teams in the Bay tion (WNBA), made history as Area — from the Professionthe first professional women’s al Women’s Hockey League sports team to be valued at $1 (PWHL) to the brand-new billion and sold out all of their Women’s Pro Baseball League home games at Chase Center (WPBL) — does not appear to in their inaugural season. They be slowing down. After all, the were also the first WNBA exBay Area is referred to as the pansion team to make it to the “No. 1 women’s sports city in playoffs in their inaugural seathe U.S.,” according to the New son. San Francisco is also set to York Times’ ranking of the top host the 2027 WNBA All10 women’s sports cities in the Star Weekend. country. Additionally, Bay Within one year, five new FC, who debuted in women’s sports teams the National Womhave debuted and will en’s Soccer League debut in the Bay Area. (NWSL) in March The San Francis2024, previously co Firebells, one Seeing all these held the record for of the four foundthe highest-attended ing teams in the people that really love the women’s professionWPBL, played their game and have dedicatal sports league event first game on Aug. ed a lot of their time to go in the United States 2. The Golden State play tackle, it was really, and the highest-atStorm, a professiontended single NWSL al women’s tackle really inspiring.” match, with a record football team playing of 40,091 fans in attenin the Women’s Nation- Olivia Delucchi, dance on Aug. 23, 2025. al Football Conference junior “We see a bunch more (WNFC), played their first people wearing Valkyries hats, game on March 28. Valkyries jerseys, shirts, everyMeanwhile, PWHL San Jose, thing, and we see people going one of the PWHL’s four new technically teams in the league, is beginning as the men’s, but it’s also new, out to see their games, and it their preseason in late Novem- and it’ll be really fun to start just shows how much the Bay ber. The San Francisco Signal, watching these teams play more Area cares for their teams and a League One Volleyball Pro and develop, and watch them how much they will show up for their teams,” junior softball (LOVB) team, will play their get better.” Bay Area women’s sports and flag football player Colette first match in January, and MLV Norcal (Major League Volley- have reached multiple records Uharriet said.

A flag football player catches the ball during the “Ignite the Bay” flag football clinic hosted by the Women’s Coaching Alliance on Feb. 1, 2026 at Burlingame.

RILEY

JA S

Sports Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLEY OSORIO

ball), is also debuting in 2027. For junior softball and flag football player Olivia Delucchi, having more women’s professional sports teams nearby allows sports fans like her to engage more with women’s sports. “As a sports fan, I think that it gives me so many more games to watch and things to be a fan of and a part of, and also it’s kind of like a new game too,” Delucchi said. “I know it’s t h e same

BY ABBY ZARAHN

Emerging professional teams have impacted students beyond the teams themselves. Last school year, Burlingame flag football players attended a clinic hosted by the Women’s Coaching Alliance, where they met and received advice from Golden State Storm players. Delucchi said it was inspiring to learn from a female professional tackle football player. “It was honestly really fun and cool to see because I hadn’t seen any women tackle football players...But seeing all these people that really love the game and have dedicated a lot of their time to go play tackle, it was really, really inspiring because it’s cool how they’re taking a ‘men’s sport’ and bringing women into it,” Delucchi said.

With the addition of new professional teams and leagues, the future of women’s sports will continue to see growth. Sophomore flag football, soccer, and lacrosse player Molly Betts said she hopes the impact of new professional women’s sports leagues will inspire young girls to follow their dreams. “I think just the amount of new leagues that have come up in recent years, and the tremendous growth and increased viewership, will hopefully have a very large impact on women’s sports, and hopefully, it’s able to influence and reach young girls and female athletes across the country as well, and inspire them to continue chasing their dreams and to keep pursuing their passion,” Betts said.

September 22, 2026

Sports

From club to college: The path to D1 BY LEA VON HAGEN

Social Coordinator

Juniors Kenna Owen and Ella Vuong first started playing soccer together at Burlingame Soccer Club (BSC) when they were 5 years old. Now, the two have both verbally committed to the admissions process at Columbia University to play Division 1 soccer. “I’m really excited because I’ve known Ella since we were 5 years old, and we’ve always played soccer together,” Owen said. Between the ages of 5 and 11, both

played at BSC before switching to Woodside Soccer Club and playing together for two more years. They now play in the 2010 Elite Club National League (ECNL) on different teams — Owen plays for De Anza Force club, and Vuong plays for Bay Area Surf. In the fall of their sophomore year, the girls participated in a showcase tournaments. Playing on different club teams, the girls didn’t reunite on the field until the Elite College ID Clinic at Columbia. “Since we played together for so long, I feel like when we play together, we sort of know where we are on the field without having to actively talk,” Owen said. “We’re very aware of each other, and also I’m very comfortable passing her the ball.”

Before the ID camp, Vuong and Owen spent time contacting coaches and making connections, keeping the other updated on their progress. “We’d text each other after all of our calls and emails [and] be like, ‘oh, this happened, this happened.’ We kept each other updated,” Owen said. At the ID camp, the two girls reunited and were able to compete in drills and scrimmages together. “They knew we were friends, and they put us on the same team at the camp, and then they were like, ‘we think you guys would play well together,’” Owen said. On June 15, both girls were invited to do a one-on-one Zoom meeting with the school, and after another meeting on June 17, they confirmed that they had verbally committed to Columbia. “I was very,

both getting seen by the same schools and getting actively recruited by them,” Vuong said. Vuong said she was both shocked and excited that her hard work paid off. Having visited Columbia before, she said she felt that Columbia was a perfect fit for her. “I chose Columbia because the academics are really high and strong there, and when I went to their ID camp, the women soccer coaches, I got to talk with them, and they were really nice. And I feel like I had a connection with them,” Vuong said.

Since their commitment, they have been invited to watch the Columbia women’s soccer team play against Saint Mary’s College and UC Berkeley. Both Vuong and Owen also attended team dinners, which Owen said were a valuable opportunity to meet the current team. Both Owen and Vuong agree that while they are excited to play at Columbia, they are most grateful for experiencing this together. “Now I’m just really happy that the both of us are going there and we’ll both have someone that we already know,” Vuong said.

v e r y thrilled about it because the chances of that happening, I feel, are really low, and especially now it’s really competitive with everything. But it’s just so exciting that we were PHOTOS COURTESY OF KENNA OWEN

Fall sports highlights: League play kicks off Boys’ Football

BY TEHYA SCHOLZ-MORESCO

BY LEA VON HAGEN

BY JONAH MOSS

Girls’ tennis currently stands with a record of 2-1, winning against Sequoia High School with a score of 5-2 in a high-energy season opener on Sept. 8. The match against Sequoia saw all three doubles pairs sweep the board with match wins of 6-0, 6-0. They also beat San Mateo High School, Burlingame’s rival team, with a score of 5-2, on Sept. 15. The Panthers lost 0-7 to Aragon High School on Sept. 10, historically one of the top competitors in the PAL Bay Division, though they beat them once last season. Head coach Sheila Higgins Druskin said the team has been working on specific shots, facilitating drills where players rotate through the courts and practice a different type of shot, such as volleys and serves, on each court. Looking forward, the Panthers will play Carlmont High School on Sept. 22. Carlmont currently stands as one of the first-ranked teams in their division and has ended the past three seasons as the first-ranked team in the PAL Bay Division.

Girls’ volleyball (3-3) has started the season strong, winning a tight 3-2 match against Menlo-Atherton High School on Sept. 10. Menlo-Atherton is one of their league rivals and last year’s Peninsula Athletic League (PAL) Bay Division champions. The team also beat Hillsdale High School 3-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 15, a team they beat last year. They also faced multiple top opponents, such as University High School and Sacred Heart Preparatory, in preseason matchups to help prepare for league play. Junior outside hitter Ilsa Carlson has proved to be a key player this season and was nominated for Bay Area News Group Athlete of the Week for her ten kills and digs in the team’s game against University High School on Aug. 28. Head coach Hannah Korslund said practices have consisted of scrimmaging to work on consistency and teamwork. According to senior captain Jordan Toomey and Korslund, the goal is to make it into the semifinals of the Central Coast Section Championships and to place higher in the PAL Bay Division than last season.

Football has had a strong start to its season and currently stands with a 3-0 record. They recently beat a strong Carlmont High School team 41-13 on Sep. 4 in their second game and home opener. The team plays in the Peninsula Athletic League (PAL) De Anza Division, and their most anticipated matchup is the annual Little Big Game against San Mateo High School. Looking forward, head coach John Philipopoulos emphasized the team’s goals of making the playoffs and winning the Little Big Game. Philipopoulos said he hopes to work towards these goals through high-quality practices. “We obviously want to make the playoffs,” Philipopoulos said. “We would love to get The Paw back after losing it three years in a row, which is something that we’re not really used to around here.” Currently, Philipopoulos said he hopes to focus on immediate development. “I’m just really trying to focus on the here and now, one week at a time,” Philipopoulos said. Their next game will be against Menlo High School on Saturday, Sep. 26.

Copy Editor

Social Coordinator

Buisness Manager

PHOTO BY ZOE SENER

Girls’ Volleyball

PHOTO BY LEA VON HAGEN

PHOTO BY TEHYA SCHOLZ M

Girls’ Tennis

Opinion

THE BURLINGAME B Editor-in-Chief Josie Wettan Managing Editors Alex Bertelli Akira Nakamura Design Editor Emma Yu Online Editor Jason Lu Sports Editor Abby Zarahn Multimedia Editor Chiara Wesley Social Media Manager Peili Brown Business Manager Jonah Moss Diversity Coordinator Andrew Barrera Social Coordinator Lea Von Hagen Copy Editors Addison Chu Claire Hwang Tehya Scholz-Moresco Senior Reporters Leia Burlingham Chantal Lay Scarlett Ko

Teacher Adviser Allison Raisner

prioritization may not reflect the preferences of individual students. This subjectivity can overshadow genuine student fit with colleges. Students have different priorities for picking colleges, so it is impossible for a single ranking to reflect all of these preferences. Still, many students just pay attention to rankings and prestige — a 2017 ScienceDirect study found that colleges ranked just below the top 50 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings saw a 2 to 6% decrease in applications, even though the institutional quality did not decrease. A study conducted by

Carnegie, a company that connects students with colleges, found that 20% of surveyed graduating seniors in 2025 listed “prestige” as one of their most important college selection factors — an increase from the 15% and 14% in the previous two years. Rankings can be useful starting points for students, but students should consider whether the qualities that make a college highly ranked actually align with their own priorities. The “best” college is not the one ranked No. 1 on a list — it’s the one whose goals and values align with yours.

BY TEHYA SCHOLZ-MORESCO Copy Editor “There’s no need to speak German; I can speak English.” After hearing this from countless servers and cashiers, even while living in Hamburg, Germany, I felt discouraged from learning German. Had I been a tourist only visiting briefly, not living there for four months, and heard this offer to speak English so often, I know I would not have bothered to even try to learn German. After all, why study something that seems to be unnecessary? According to Ethnologue, about 1.5 billion people worldwide speak English. According to ScienceDirect, it is often known as the “lingua franca,” or the most common language spoken between people of differing native tongues, and is, according to the Research Trends Editorial Board, considered the “international language of science.” Given its apparent ubiquity, one could argue that English speakers don’t need to bother learning other languages. This seems to be the perspective of many students in higher education, as the percentage of university and college students in the United States enrolled in language courses other than English decreased by 16.6% between 2016 and 2021, according to the Modern Language Association. However, I disagree with this conclusion. KO ETT

ARL

Website: www.theburlingameb.org Phone: (650) 558-2899 Email: theburlingameb@gmail.com Address: 1 Mangini Way, Burlingame, CA 94010

Niche’s most heavily weighted category for ranking colleges is Academics (35%), while U.S. News’ heaviest factor is Student Outcomes (52%).

The value of knowing two languages

C BY S

Letters to the Editor Disagree with the writers? Bring your letters to the room A112 or email them to <theburlingameb@smuhsd.org>. Letters may be considered for publication. The Burlingame B reserves the right to edit for clarity, length, and accuracy. We welcome all comments.

For some seniors, the difference between a college ranked No. 15 and No. 30 can feel enormous. But what actually makes No. 15 better, and who ranks the colleges? As college application season rolls in, rankings and reputation can largely shape where students choose to apply and ultimately attend — but college rankings do not paint nearly the full picture. While the highest-ranking schools are generally agreed upon, there are dozens of distinct college rankings published by organizations such as Forbes, The Princeton Review, Niche, the U.S. News & World Report, and more, each with different criteria and ranking methodologies. Therefore, a college’s ranking depends on not only how it performs, but also what a ranking chooses to prioritize. For example, the Student Life grade and Diversity grade are both weighted at 5% in Niche’s college rankings, while the Academics grade — which includes acceptance rate and quality of professors — is weighted at 35%. Niche’s methodology for choosing the “best” college inherently prioritizes some aspects of a college over others, and this

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Policy Statement: The Burlingame B is a student-run newspaper with the sole 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 anyone affiliated with the San Mateo Union High School District. The Burlingame B does not discriminate against race, political orientation, 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.

BY THE BURLINGAME B EDITORIAL BOARD

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIRTE SCHOLZ.

Staff Reporters Polly Ambrose Zeynep Bakkal Neva Ekici Ismaeel Elkazzaz Augustine Enrique Chloe Farris Claire Fraser Izabella Gabourie Kaila Johnstone Sophie Kim Desmond Lane Eleni Marcovici Katerina Marcovici Waverly Nguyen Anais Rigaut Zoe Sener Kalani Toribio Beck Warner Ethan Watt Chase Wong Elena Yu

Editorial College rankings tell an incomplete story PHOTO BY LEIA BURLINGHAM

September 22, 2026

Tehya Scholz-Moresco stands at the town hall in Hamburg, Germany. Toward the end of my fourth month in Germany, I was finally able to get around Hamburg speaking only German. I started to realize the value of knowing another language. The first benefit I noticed is how much easier it was to connect with people. I originally only spoke with my cousin in English, which she speaks well. As we spoke more in German, however, she opened up to me more, and we grew much closer. Speaking the first language of someone shows your commitment to understanding their culture and allows deeper bonds to form. Learning a new language also expanded my vocabulary. Beyond the German that can be directly translated into English, I gained words that describe the world in ways English can’t. For example, the word “heimat” means something along the lines of “homeland” or “home,” but these don’t entirely capture all the meanings that one’s “heimat”

describes. Another benefit to learning a language is the insight languages offer into the culture of their origin. At the end of a workday in Germany, people will wish each other a good “feierabend.” The first part of the word, “feier,” means “to celebrate,” and the second part, “abend,” means “evening.” Looking at the translation of the word reveals the importance Germans place on having a positive work-life balance. In a world that is becoming both increasingly connected and divided, my experience living in Germany and learning the language has stressed the benefits that come with studying a new language. Most of it boils down to one thing: understanding. Gaining the use of a second language allows you to better understand the quirks of a different culture, better understand others, and better understand and describe your perceptions of the world.

September 22, 2026

Community

Panther Pals establish grouping system This school year, the Associated Student Body (ASB) has implemented a new system of organizing Panther Pal groups — groups freshmen are placed in to participate in community-building activities throughout the year — that now sort by students’ interests instead of randomly. During freshman orientation, the Panther Pal commission had each freshman fill out a form asking which clubs they wanted to join and what they were interested in. ASB Vice President and senior Elizabeth Carroll described it as a “personality quiz.” “[We] just try to get to know the freshmen on a half sheet of paper, in the hopes that we can put them in a group with people that are like-minded and they will enjoy spending time with,” Carroll said.

The Panther Pal commission then used those forms to sort freshmen into the groups they will stay in for the rest of the school year. According to Panther Pal Commission Lead and junior Giovanni Turri, the commission looked for similarities in interests, such as mock trial or robotics, to form groups. “The goal is once they go into their final group, they’re going to use [it] for the rest of the year. It’s filled with kids who like similar things, so they can bond together,” Turri said. ASB decided to make this change during a meeting over the summer. According to Carroll, they changed the system to address a lack of engagement between freshmen in the groups. “No one was really talking, and no one was really trying to make those connections, and we figured it was because they had nowhere to start from,” Carroll said. “So we thought that if we placed them in groups with peo-

Crossword

ple that already had a common interest, they would be more open to forming bonds and creating lasting friendships.” According to Leadership Co-Advisor and Activities Director, Erik Bennett, the most challenging aspect of the process was gathering information about what freshmen were interested in and using that information to guide how the groups were made. “It is definitely more work for us to take and synthesize all the data that we pull back, to then sort and see what the interests are,” Bennett said. Although freshmen have yet to meet in their new Panther Pal groups, freshman Ariella Milenkiy said she thought being in a group with freshmen who listed similar interests on their forms could improve her experience in the groups. “I think I would definitely feel more open,” Milenkiy said. Panther Pal ambassador and junior Noah Robinson said he

PHOTO BY ABBY ZARAHN

BY TEHYA SCHOLZ-MORESCO Copy Editor

Panther Pal Ambassadors Mikaela Hardtke and Shaifali Sinha sit with freshmen in a circle as they do a bonding activity during freshmen orientation on Aug. 7. worries that having freshmen demonstrate interest in certain activities may cause them to feel committed to what they marked on their interest form, without giving other pursuits a chance. However, he also said that grouping freshmen based on interests might be helpful in giv-

ing people a familiar face in the activities they become involved in. “I think the system is really good for matching people with people they might not necessarily be friends with, but are more likely to see around school,” Robinson said.

Hexagonal minesweeper

BY ALEX BERTELLI Managing Editor Edited by Rain Yang

Non-number cells are either blank or have a “mine.” A number indicates exactly how many adjacent hexagons have mines. Draw in the grid’s 25 total mines. No guessing is required!

Across

1. Most YouTube videos have them 4. ___ Baby 8. Appear to be 12. Stage background 13. Put ___ on (limit) 14. Walk through water 15. Depth setting on cameras 17. Largest continent 18. Breathe heavily, like a dog* 20. ___ Nas X 21. Country next to Vietnam 22. Light touches 24. Some cameras, for short 25. ___ year (a break from studying) 28. She/___ pronouns* 31. Homemade project, for short 32. “The Lion King” lioness 33. “The ___ U Give” 34. Verbally inform 35. Day after Sun. 36. Feeling of self-respect, often associated with LGBTQ+ culture* 42. “As ___ Dying” 43. How often to eat an apple to keep the doctors away 44. Like hearts or diamonds 45. Fluorescent gas 46. Burlingame ___ (main street) 47. “It comes ___ surprise...” 48. Important 9-digit codes, for short 49. ___ Moines, Iowa

Down

1. “Do it now!” 2. Actor Johnny from Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Hard to detect, like a ninja 4. Referring to childbirth 5. ___dor: 0-latitude country 6. Features that never meet 7. Spacious clearing 8. Beauty-associated birds 9. Right of North 10. Revise text 11. Vegetarians usually don’t eat it 16. Salary boost 19. On the ___ (lacking subtlety) 22. Highest college degree initials 23. Popular fish in poke bowls 24. They’re like walruses and bark 25. Parent’s father 26. The “A” in MoMA 27. Opposite of post29. ___gy drink (ex: Celsius) 30. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” spinoff 34. Attempt 35. Peoples’ outward appearances 36. City with a leaning tower 37. Opposite of minus 38. Water from the skies 39. Like a pop star 40. Roof overhang 41. Organs responsible for sight

GRAPHICS BY ALEX BERTELLI AND EMMA YU

Spelling BEE

Blanks Can you identify these words or phrases with just their B's? (Example: B?B??B?? = BIBIMBAP)

??BB?B B?BB?? B??? B??B??B?? ??B?B

B??????B ??B??B ???B??B ?B???B

See the games online! Solve the clues using these letters Letters can be in any order and repeat (3) = 3 letters | “letter counts” = (6 6) • • • • • • •

Animal (7) and animal (8) Fictional Character (5 3) Novel read in AP Lang (5 5) Puncture (9) Pulse (5 4) Pokemon (7) Like a honeycomb’s tesselation (6 7)

qr code

September 22, 2026

New Staff

Read the full profiles:

S BY

PHIC

A GHR

LETT

SCAR

BY ISMAEEL ELKAZZAZ, KATERINA MARCOVICI, ZOE SENER

BY NEVA EKICI, CHLOE FARRIS, ELENA YU

BY POLLY AMBROSE, ZEYNEP BAKKAL

Staff Reporters

Name: Allison Raisner Subjects: English and Journalism Quote: “I’m very happy to be at Burlingame. I think it’s a really great school, and I’m excited to be able to do my dream job and teach both English and journalism here.”

Name: Amirah Qureshi Subjects: English Language Development Quote: “My favorite part about being an English teacher is the students.”

BY IZABELLA GABOURIE, ELENI MARCOVICI

Staff Reporters

BY AUGUSTINE ENRIQUE, DESMOND LANE, KALANI TORIBIO

BY KAILA JOHNSTONE, ANAIS RIGAUT

Name: Gerald Corbin Subjects: Dual Enrollment, Counselor Fun Fact: Corbin loves going to the movies. He is an AMC A-lister, which means he gets to see unlimited movies every month. He also loves to bowl and go jogging in San Francisco.

Name: Eric Vences Subject: Spanish Fun Fact: Before becoming a Spanish teacher, Vences studied to become a dental hygienist. After disliking his internship, he changed paths to education and discovered his passion for teaching

Name: Madison Wilson Subject: English Quote: “I really enjoy my relationship with my students [and] I love seeing student growth over the course of the year.”

Staff Reporters

Staff Reporters Name: Sophie Hu Subject: Biology Fun Fact: Hu enjoys indoor rock climbing and bouldering, especially learning to overcome the fear of falling. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Cell Biology. She loves learning about her students.

Staff Reporters

BY CHASE WONG, ETHAN WATT

BY SOPHIE KIM, WAVERLEY NGUYEN

BY CLAIRE FRASER, BECK WARNER

Name: Russell Ward Subject: Math Fun fact: Ward serves as a coach for the Iron Panthers, where he guides students and inspires innovation. He said he collaborates with student leaders to run the program.

Name: Emilio Flamenco Subjects: Ethnic Studies, English Quote: “Every Burlingame teacher, we come from different backgrounds. We’re different ages, different everything. We can offer valuable life stories, and we just want to make ourselves available.”

Name: Candace Nguyen Subject: Math Quote: “I like the student community, just getting to know all the students here because it is my first year… you guys have a really good community and support system going on.”

Staff Reporters