Vol. III, No. 5

VOL . 3, NO. 5

J A N U A RY 2 6 , 2 0 2 4

THE YELLOW PAGES BASIS Independent Fremont Journalism Club

THE TURBULENT HISTORY OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

By Shubh Bachkethi

At first glance, the island of Cyprus may seem straight out of a paradise or heaven. Its golden coast is lined with lovely beaches and is even rumored to be the birthplace of Aphrodite! Describing Cyprus as anything but a paradise is hard, and it is even harder to digest the truth; Cyprus is fractured in half, and has been for quite a while.

Currently, the island of Cyprus is divided into two halves—the Republic of Cyprus (ROC) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The latter nation is not recognized by most countries, with the only exception being the Republic of Türkiye, a TRNCbacked country heavily involved in the TRNC’s military organization. However, it wasn’t always this way. What happened?

For hundreds of years, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots coexisted in harmony until the United Kingdom colonized Cyprus. Starting in the late 1800s, the Greek Cypriots began campaigning for unification efforts with Greece, a concept known as enosis, which is Greek for “union”. In 1955, the Ethnikí Orgánosis Kipriakoú Agónos (EOKA) was formed with the goal of ending British colonial rule. The EOKA often resorted to extreme measures, including execution of anybody who showed any form of opposition, even going as far as killing some of their own people who had queries about a union with Greece. The EOKA also imposed violent persecution on the Turkish Cypriot community, co-owners of the island who refused to let Cyprus become part of Greece. The violence became so uncontrollable for the British to handle that, in 1960, the Republic of Cyprus was formed, and peace agreements were finally reached between the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots, Türkiye, Greece, and the United Kingdom. So, what disturbed that peace and led to the current situation?

When the peace agreements were reached, the Republic of Cyprus recognized the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots as political equals. However, independence did not stop the Greek Cypriots’ desire for enosis, leading to the formation of a plan known as the Akritas Plan, in which the Greek Cypriots proposed a set of amendments

known as the Thirteen Points. These amendments would severely curb the rights of Turkish Cypriots and downgrade them to a minority status on the island. When the Turkish Cypriots refused these amendments, the Greek Cypriots led an ethnic cleansing against the Turkish Cypriot residents of the island in an incident known as “Bloody Christmas”, aptly named for its occurrence close to Christmas Day 1963.

On “Bloody Christmas”, the EOKA killed more than 370 and displaced about 30,000 refugees to an area making up only three percent of Cyprus Island. Later, in 1967, the government of Greece was overthrown by a rebel military group and attacked two villages where Turkish Cypriots lived - Bogazici and Gecitkale. Türkiye realized that it was time to help their Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters at any cost.

On July 20, 1974, Türkiye launched an invasion of Cyprus in the Cyprus Peace Operation. The aftermath brought the discovery of mass graves in Turkish Cypriot towns to light, confirming the mistreatment of Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriots. In 1975, the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus was formed, and 8 years later, on November 15, 1983, the members of its Parliament unanimously approved the creation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

However, the United Nations declared the independence of the TRNC invalid and called upon member nations to do so as well, along with imposing embargoes against Northern Cyprus. As a result, the TRNC is now heavily dependent on Türkiye for economic support and has weakened the economy. These embargoes aren’t only limited to trade,

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however. TRNC citizens are not allowed to represent the TRNC in international events and must play for a recognized country instead. Along with that, many countries refuse to accept TRNC passports as valid travel documents. Luckily for them, all citizens of the TRNC are allowed to become Turkish citizens and thus apply for Turkish passports, allowing people like Meliz Redif to compete internationally and travel the world. Redif, a TRNC native, had to become a Turkish citizen to compete in the Olympics, and while she was enthusiastic about being able to play in the Olympics, others thought it was unfair that she was not allowed to represent the TRNC. All of these embargoes still continue today, and only adds to the Cyprus issue, making it more and more necessary to find a solution.

In 2004, the United Nations drew up the Annan Plan, which favored creating a separate Turkish Cypriot state and a separate Greek Cypriot state, envisioning a unified country known as the United Republic of Cyprus. Although the TRNC supported this solution with

a 65% approval rate, only 24% of the Republic of Cyprus expressed approval, so the plan was never instated. Another idea is a two-state solution, which states that instead of reunification, the island should be permanently divided into a Greek Cypriot country in the South and a Turkish Cypriot country in the North.

The two-state solution is supported by both the president of the Republic of Türkiye and the president of the TRNC, but is still on the drawing board.

Forty years have passed since the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus became independent, yet it is not recognized by any country other than Türkiye, and is under embargoes that prevent it from reaching its potential.

Turkish Cypriots have had to make the heart-wrenching decision of representing a flag that isn’t even their own, all to follow their dreams. No group of people should have to go through what the Turkish Cypriots have been through. I extend my heartfelt support to Turkish Cypriots as they fight for who they are and what they believe in — their country.

INCURABLE DISEASE RAISES CONCERN FOR POTENTIAL ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

By Vera Lin

Proteins comprise one or more long, folded chains of amino acids.

These chains are folded into complex three-dimensional shapes through intricate molecular origami, enabling them to do all sorts of jobs in organisms, such as transporting oxygen throughout bodies. Occasionally, this natural origami goes awry and proteins are misfolded, but cellular and molecular mechanisms naturally tend to prevent protein misfolding and aggregation.

Chaperones sort the proteins for folding, degradation, and sequestration in bodies. However, in the past couple of months, a particular protein found primarily in the brain has shaken up the world — prions, incurable agents that have long incubation periods and are typically fatal.

Unlike parasites, bacteria, and viruses, prions are misfolded proteins that lack genetic material such as DNA or RNA. They perform “templated misfolding,” a process where an abnormal prion protein, or PrPSc, comes into contact with normal prion proteins, leading to the refolding of the normal

proteins’ structure and causing them to adopt the toxic consequences. This chain reaction characterizes prion diseases, disrupting normal cellular processes and causing neuronal damage.

The modes of transmission for these infectious misfolded prion proteins vary based on specific prion diseases. The two most common forms entail the sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob form (sCJD), and a hereditary form. The Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a case where misfolding occurs without an identifiable external source of infection, whereas the hereditary form is one where certain prion diseases are inherited due to mutations in the PRNP gene. “Exports still don’t know a lot about prion diseases, but unfortunately, these disorders are generally fatal,” reports a John Hopkins Medicine page.

The recent fear of a potential zombie apocalypse due to sightings of deer with chronic wasting disease (the “deer-form” of a prions disease) is not grounded in scientific evidence.

In fact, specialists have confirmed that unless one has eaten infected meat

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or is genetically exposed to a prion disease, it’s a one-in-a-million chance.

These exaggerated rumors are the remarkable product of fictional entertainment and literature, namely from the iconic award-winning movie Train to Busan. At the beginning of the movie, a deer exhibiting zombie-like manners picks itself up after getting run over by a truck. The deer, now with opaque pupils and a foamy mouth, walks stiffly back into the forest next to

the road. TikTok and other social media platforms were overwhelmed with conspiracy theory creators who correlated these symptoms to the real-sighted deer with the same symptoms. Indeed, it is important to acknowledge that prion diseases are a real issue concerning public health due to their devastating effects, but it is even more important to consider the credibility of sources, especially at a time when social media holds a corrupt level of power.

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J A N U A RY 2 6 , 2 0 2 4

FRC: BIF JOINS THE RACE

By Tycho Young

January 6th marked the start of 2024’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), captivating over 3,500 teams around the world with the unveiling of 2024’s game, CRESCENDO. BIF’s very own team headed to Pioneer High School in San Jose to witness the live broadcast and join in on the fun of kickoff.

FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION FIRST Robotics Competition, also known as FRC, is a high school robotics competition in which teams get six weeks to design, build, program, and test a robot. From the FIRST website: “High school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game… while also fundraising to meet their goals… and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.” Not only does FRC build students’ technical expertise, but it also improves their teamwork, business, and leadership skills.

THE BIF TEAM

This past summer, BASIS freshmen came together and started their own robotics team. After much preparation

and recruitment, Team 9470 was formed, and Ctrl-Alt-Defeat was born. Through many months of hard work, collaboration, and learning, team members were able to venture into the depths of science and technology.

KICKOFF

On January 6th, members of Ctrl-AltDefeat gathered at Pioneer High School to watch the live broadcast and pick up their kit of parts. Early arrivers stood in the chilly winter air as they waited for registration, slowly filing into the broadcast room adorned with a giant projector filling their view. As the timer counted down to zero, team members looked across the room at their opponents. They were older, stronger, and undoubtedly more experienced, foreshadowing the competition they would face. As the kickoff broadcast commenced, the game animation revealed the challenge that Ctrl-Alt-Defeat will face for the next two months: CRESCENDO. CRESCENDO is a music-themed game, where teams of three must score foam rings called NOTEs into the AMP and SPEAKER to earn points. For the first fifteen seconds, teams must program robots to operate in an “Autonomous

A SHAKY START TO 2024: THE JAPAN EARTHQUAKE

By Sachit Parekh

As people in the Rocky Mountain states were celebrating the beginning of the new year, halfway across the world, in western Japan, the new year’s celebrations were short-lived. At 4:10 PM Japan Standard Time on January 1, a massive earthquake rocked the Noto Peninsula, impacting smaller communities like Suzu, a town of fourteen thousand on the northeastern Noto Peninsula, as well as major cities such as Toyama. The magnitude 7.5 temblor was followed by hundreds of aftershocks, some reaching magnitude 6.0.

The quakes caused a mild tsunami with a measured height of about 1 meter, lead-

ing to localized flooding in the Noto Peninsula.

Hundreds of homes and buildings in the region were destroyed, with many more receiving various levels of damage.

The city of Wajima suffered from numerous fires, reducing many areas to charred rubble. Thirty-six thousand customers in Ishikawa Prefecture, the region in western Japan where the earthquake occurred, lost power, and one hundred thousand lacked water access. This damage forced over thirty thousand people to take shelter in local schools, community centers, and auditoriums ahead of the cold tem-

HUMANS OF BASIS: ODYSSEY THROUGH THE ARTS

By Kevin Weng

“Artist. Diligent. Creative.”

That’s what Winston’s long-time friend, Revant, had to say when asked to describe Winston. “Artist” is perhaps the most wellknown — Winston has won multiple awards through the Scholastic Reading & Writing Awards and the Congressional Art Competition. One of his favorite ways to express creativity is through digital 3D design and modeling — a beach house, astronaut fox, and a snorlax. However, Winston is also well-versed in traditional 2D art and has submitted a diverse spectrum of work, including a charcoal sketch of a chalkboard background featuring different equations, to the Competition.

“My art awards are probably the nonacademic accomplishments I enjoyed the most,” explains Winston. “Art is a way of expressing my work that I’ve done for the past few years. By rearranging different pencil sketches into the background and the foreground, they combine elements from Asian history and warfare.”

As an avid gamer (he loves playing VALORANT with friends) Winston finds ways to entwine his various passions. The piece he enjoyed creating the most was a small obstacle-navigation game made in Unreal Engine, where users can enjoy a B-hopping mechanism based off of VALORANT physics. Winston is also working on a VALORANT-inspired map through Blender; his vision is to create a virtual space based on Shanghai that emulates his dream living environment. This hobby is also great training for his future aspirations and dream job: working with visual effects and concept art in a design studio, to potentially create the mainstream games of the future.

It’s pretty clear that Winston has an affinity for 3-dimensional works. One of his largest projects (and incidentally, one of his failures he learned the most from) was his project for Gray Area, where he showcased an environment displaying different types of paradises.

“It’s based on a ‘sea world,’ an immersive environment,” explains Winston. “I wanted to place the project in a paradise-like setting. My vision was simple — navigating the sea, encountering diverse views. A different project used metal as a base layer in Unreal Engine which resembled water and wind much more naturally than mine.

That’s the kind of visual I was aiming for, and I’ll use what I learned for future projects.”

The art of design is just one of his interests. Winston also loves the performing arts — his freetime is spent perfecting K-pop dance routines (he’ll fire up the TV, and just dance to his favorite groups).

“I think it mostly stemmed from my sister’s interest in dancing, but now I like to dance on my own,” explains Winston. “It’s still really accessible for me to train with her. I hope to continue dancing in college and maybe join a K-pop dance club there.”

Winston couldn’t wait for college — he founded the BASIS K-pop/hip-hop dance club in his Junior year, where he taught his favorite songs to a group of like-minded students.

“K-pop dance club was really really fun,” laughs Ajay, one of Winston’s close friends and gaming partners. “My favorite songs were OMG and BTBT, and being able to coordinate choreography with our favorite members just made it better. The club brightened up my junior year for sure.”

Winston also attends outside private dance clubs, where he uses the additional hours to perfect his craft.

“Attending LA’s different underground dance studios was probably my most memorable dance moment,” explains Winston.

“I saw how people actually danced. And then I went to their workshop where they were teaching an EXO (K-Pop Band) choreography. After that, I knew this was something I really wanted to do.”

As the President of the BASIS K-pop club, there are many challenges Winston has to deal with regarding K-pop’s connotation in

Period”, where they can earn nearly double points for each scored piece, followed by a remote-controlled “ Teleoperated” period. At the end of each match, the 100-pound robots must move to their stages and raise themselves to score a final note.

After watching the broadcast, team members headed to the lab to brainstorm ideas, begin building a robot, and study the 149-page rule manual. Using the parts FIRST provided, they began assembling a drivetrain that would act as the driving base for their robot, with Aditya (10th) leading the charge. Bowen (9th) led a discussion in design, focusing on practicality and scoring efficiency. Mihir (9th) showed excellence in his mechanical efforts, making significant

progress on the chassis. The team plans to be ambitious and build not one, not two, but three robots this year. They hope to make leaps and bounds with an iterative, experimental, and swervedrive robot in this competition season.

Robotics not only enables students to learn STEM in an applicable and practical way but also teaches students how to work as a team to accomplish a common goal, promoting skills that are fundamental to personal development.

If you’re interested in robotics, have a passion for STEM, or just want to see cool stuff, come stop by room 138 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The team is more than eager to show you what they are up to, and they hope to keep spreading a love of science in our community!

peratures and snow that was forecast to impact the region later that week, which increased the threat of landslides. The current direct death toll resides at 180, with 120 still unaccounted for and hundreds more injured.

Rescue operations immediately swung into action following the initial quake, with military troops and volunteers having set up the aforementioned shelters.

At least five thousand Japanese military troops were deployed to the region to provide humanitarian aid, extinguish fires, and continue rescue efforts. Furthermore, aid from other countries poured in, with the United States pitching in $100,000 for medicine and other humanitarian efforts.

On the evening of January 2, a Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 from Sapporo in Hokkaido landed at Tokyo Haneda Air-

port and burst into flames upon colliding with a Japanese Coast Guard DHC-8 on its way to the impacted area carrying humanitarian supplies. Miraculously, all passengers on the A350 survived, but five of the six crew members on the DHC-8 lost their lives. An investigation into why this accident happened is currently ongoing.

The geographic location of Japan makes it extremely susceptible to earthquakes, and thus, the Japanese government has taken various steps to reduce earthquake damage and casualties over the past few decades. Though damage is inevitable, the quick response of the nation’s government demonstrates its readiness for such natural disasters. The road to recovery is a long one, and we hope that those affected by the earthquake can quickly resume their normal lives.

current society.

“Biggest misconception? I’d say there is a notion that K-pop dancing is more of just doing cute moves in front of a camera, but it also involves much more technical popping and whacking, which are two very different styles of dancing,” explains Winston. “It’s a big range of styles that blend together, not just one thing.”

And we can’t mention two types of art without mentioning a third, which is made easy by Winston’s status as an avid enjoyer of the culinary arts. At the top of his bucket list — exploring new food options in Vietnam (he’s drawn by Vietnam’s exotic and rare gastronomical culture). And

whenever he can, he cooks: fried rice, sauces, chinese comfort foods. One of his most recent creations was deep-fried Spam with a chip-crumble crust. Another recent invention — a soy, sesame, pepper, ginger sauce creation used to pair with some of his favorite foods.

We asked Josh, one of Winston’s gaming duos, for his perspective on Winston’s motto (which is to live life by finishing everything you start).

“I’m constantly part of his group projects, and he not only starts what he finishes, but inspires everyone else to work harder,” shares Josh. “He’s determined and reliable — I always feel like I’m in good hands.”

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VOL . 3, NO. 5

HARVARD PRESIDENT CLAUDINE GAY RESIGNS

By Nick Lin

On January 2nd, 2024, Claudine Gay stepped down as president of Harvard University following weeks of criticism of her responses during the 2023 congressional committee hearing on college campus antisemitism and plagiarism in her academic work. So, how exactly did Harvard’s first black president lose her job? Well, it all began on October 7th when the Hamas terrorist organization launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in around 1200 Israelis killed and more than 240 hostages taken. In response to this attack, 33 student organizations at Harvard immediately released a public statement blaming Israel for the violence, drawing a national backlash.

Before delving deeper into the issue, let’s first understand who Claudine Gay is. Claudine Gay, born in 1970 in New York City, was the first black president of Harvard and the second woman president. She received her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Stanford University and her Ph.D. in Political Science from Harvard University. According to her biography on the university ’s website, she joined the Harvard faculty in 2006 as a government professor. She later became the Dean of the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences before assuming the role of the 30th president of the university in July.

In December, two months after the October 7th attacks, the United States House Committee on Education & the Workforce invited the presidents of MIT, Harvard, and UPenn to testify about and discuss the rise of antisemitism and threats against Jewish students, faculty, and staff on campus.

When questioned by House Republican Elise Stefanik on whether calls for genocide of Jewish people violate Harvard’s policies, Gay responded by saying, “It can be, depending on the context.” This reply, along with other statements during the hearing, outraged the public and sparked criticism against Gay. Following the hearing, the US Department of Education began an ongoing civil rights investigation into antisemitism and Islamophobia and the hate that officials say university leaders have failed to respond to.

THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

By Krish Mangrolia

As the calendar year 2024 arrives, one of the most crucial events in modern America looms closer: the presidential election. Politically, the 2024 election will undoubtedly alter the scope of change we see in America for the next four or possibly eight years. There has been nationwide dissatisfaction with current President Joe Biden, mostly due to factors such as a perceived lack of public vigor and energy regarding his administration. Additionally, the United States is becoming increasingly divided among a growing number of issues, which will collectively headline presidential debates. As a result of the culmination of dissatisfaction and discord, the 2024 presidential election will define the state of America.

While the election is in roughly nine months, there have already been numerous developments that will shape its outcome. Most notably, the Supreme Court will determine whether Donald Trump, former President and potential candidate, will be eligible to run in this election. The issue, interestingly, can be traced back to the Civil War. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was passed post-Civil War, states that individuals engaged or involved in an insurrection are barred from holding any federal or state official position.

Due to Trump’s alleged role in the Capitol Hill attacks on January 6, 2021, as a conspirator, Colorado’s Supreme Court deemed him unable to appear on primary ballots. The ruling states, “A majority of the court holds that President Trump is disqualified from holding the

To make matters worse, the Washington Free Beacon, a conservative political news outlet, accused Gay of paraphrasing and quoting two hundred authors without proper citation. After further allegations by the New York Post, Harvard Corporation formed an independent panel to investigate the plagiarism inquiry. The academic papers assessed in this search included Gay ’s 1997 Ph.D. dissertation and five out of her eleven journal publications.

The search found a few cases of “inadequate citation,” but nothing violated Harvard’s policies. Gay requested a few corrections to those inadequate citations but was still accused of plagiarism, even though many authors that they claim Gay plagiarized from have stated that they do not consider Gay ’s work to be academic plagiarism.

The Washington Post states, “ The alleged misuse varies in scope.” In some cases, the exact wording was taken without any quotations, and in other cases, Gay slightly modified texts without any in-text citations.

Coupled with the heat from the antisemitism congressional hearing, these plagiarism accusations mounted enough pressure that Gay resigned on January 2nd, securing the title of Harvard president with the shortest tenure.

Following Claudine Gay ’s resignation, there is still no permanent longterm president for Harvard. Currently, an acting president named Alan M. Garber is in charge. In the meantime, Claudine Gay will remain part of the staff at Harvard University until the university determines the next president of Harvard.

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office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.” Trump’s lawyers have already approached the federal Supreme Court asking for an appeal — the ball is now in their court.

A notable point of reflection in the 2024 presidential election, especially at this time of year before elections, is the primary debates. This year, there is a clear imbalance between Republican and Democratic primary debates. There are four Republican frontrunners, all of whom have a significant likelihood of being nominated as the Republican presidential candidate: Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Nikki Haley. (There are also a few other potential candidates, but the names listed are the four clear frontrunners). Most Americans know Trump as a household name, given his victory in the 2016 presidential election; the other three are generally known but not to the same extent as the former President.

DeSantis has been the governor of Florida since 2019; he’s been wellknown for his firm right-wing views on many of America’s most divisive issues. This year, he paints himself as a strong, morally sound alternative to Trump, hoping to “position himself as a more electable alternative” to the former President (source: POLITICO).

Ramaswamy, on the other hand, has ‘marketed’ himself as an heir apparent to Trump, not a rival. He has become increasingly popular through effective usage of media attention. Haley has positioned herself in a position to be a ‘third option’ in the Trump-DeSantis battle. According to POLITICO, Haley is the most accomplished woman to emerge as a legitimate candidate in the Republican conversation. However, both Haley and Ramaswamy are in a

AN UPDATE ON THE CRIMES OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN

By Angela Cao and Sarah Wu

Trigger Warning: The following article contains mentions of sexual violence and abuse.

Recently, the Manhattan Federal Court ordered the release of thousands of unsealed documents from cases and testimonies related to Jeffery Epstein’s criminal activities. These new documents have drawn international attention, given Epstein’s notoriety over the past decades for his many misdemeanors. Epstein’s numerous criminal cases involving sexual assault and sex trafficking initially began in 2005 with the kidnapping of underage girls. Since then, case upon case has been brought against him as his sex trafficking network was brought to light.

Over the years, several influential figures have been accused of having ties to Epstein and his inner circle, destroying the reputation of these influential figures left and right. As for Epstein himself, he was found dead in his prison cell in 2019 while awaiting his trial on sex trafficking charges. Judges ruled his death as a suicide.

Since his death, many of his victims have come forward. In a lawsuit Virginia Giuffre brought against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, a notable cast of people were named as having relations to either party. This does not indicate that they were involved in the sex trafficking, only that their names were mentioned in the court case. The over 150 people named includes numerous influential figures, such as artists, businessmen, and politicians. Among them are former US presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, British royal Prince Andrew (who was stripped of his royal titles upon discovery of the connections) physicist Stephen Hawking, pop star Michael Jackson, and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Epstein had long been in contact with many of the people listed in the files and was even close friends and partners with some.

It comes as no surprise that so many high-profile people have been involved in Epstein’s affairs, given his connections in the financial and political spheres.

In the late 1900s, Epstein was in charge of his financial consulting firm, where he was able to meet and form many of these close connections. Aided by powerful and well-connected people, Epstein dangerous position, as the Trump-DeSantis conflict may suck the life out of their campaigns. As this conflict rages on, it takes up a crucial part of their public attention. The Republican candidacy is clearly a toss-up right now between four (potentially even more) plausible runners; CNN has already scheduled a few Republican primary debates for this month to poll and determine the public’s opinion on the favorite Republican candidates.

In complete contrast with the Republican field, there are almost no Democrats in prime position to challenge incumbent President Joe Biden for the party’s presidential candidate nomination. So far, the only candidates to declare their candidacies are unfamiliar newcomers Marianne Williamson and Dean Phillips, neither of whom have gained a stronghold in the Democratic public. There haven’t even been debates scheduled for the Democrat candidates, and incumbents haven’t participated in primaries since the 1970s. Biden remains the leader in the race, with a unique position of no competition in the candidacy.

When considering the importance of this election, many national issues will assume the forefront of debates.

Rising issues include gun control laws, abortion rights, education, and setting foreign policy toward global issues like Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts. Each candidate has a defining position towards many of these issues, such as DeSantis’ highly controversial educational reform in Florida as Senator. The issue of gun control seems to be at its peak in the current era, with fervent debates about public safety, individual safety, and constitutional rights popping up regularly. Abortion rights, especially with the Supreme Court’s overturning

managed to persist in his criminal activities with little consequences. Alexander Acosta, the U.S. Attorney General for the Southern District of Florida, handled one of Epstein’s cases in 2008 and handed him what many call a sweetheart deal — a contract that greatly benefits some parties while being unethical or majorly disadvantageous to other parties or the public. Acosta later said he was told that Epstein was a member of the intelligence community, which is why he was handed such a lenient sentence. Unfortunately, Epstein’s vast network did not just involve politicians. Many accounts say that several women were also involved in the trafficking of girls, including his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. One such testimony was that of Johanna Sjöberg, who claims that she was recruited by the British socialite to receive calls as a secretary but was later pressured to engage in sexual activities with Epstein. This claim was popular among his victims, as Giuffre also claims that the work of Maxwell and many other women enabled Epstein to continuously get away with his crimes.

Nadia Marcinkova, a well-known Yugoslavian model turned pilot, was trafficked and abused by Epstein and his many associates when she was a young girl. Since then, several reports have emerged that she herself has also been involved in the trafficking of many other victims. Her transformation from victim to abuser is an alarming demonstration of the effects that abuse can have on an individual. Following the recent unsealing of these court documents, Marcinkova has reportedly gone missing from her home in New York.

Epstein’s associates remain entangled in many ongoing court cases. More is set to be revealed after the unsealing of those documents. Epstein’s situation serves as a chilling reminder of how influential figures have been able to get away with minimal consequences for their crimes and calls to question how much more could be happening behind the scenes. of Roe v. Wade in 2022, are a hot point of contention, as it is left up to states’ choice to protect the right to abortion.

Education, specifically regarding the awareness of racial injustice, sexism, and the denial of LGBTQ+ rights, has also taken focus among many candidates. Finally, candidates will be faced with the challenge of asserting a foreign position and aggressiveness toward international conflicts. These positions will determine the popularity of candidates and may definitively shape the outcome of the election. Though this debate is less national and more international, the level of suffering in Ukraine, Israel-Palestine battlefields, and other conflict zones worldwide is undeniable. Interestingly, as with many other issues America faces, the viewpoints on potential solutions are divided by a partisan line. Republicans and Democrats continue to be isolated in their approaches to these problems, with drastic and radical measures being proposed at an alarming rate.

It is clear that the outcome of the 2024 presidential election will be crucial in determining America’s direction for the next four years and setting national precedent regarding a variety of polarizing issues. The candidate selected will determine the level of change brought to the nation, especially due to the ambiguity and importance of issues pertaining to the national public.

The disparity between Republican and Democratic candidacies, along with the growing issues that Americans cannot neglect, will make this election one of the most interesting, competitive, and defining races in memory.

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J A N U A RY 2 6 , 2 0 2 4

GYPSY ROSE: FROM FRAUD TO FREEDOM

By Pooja Kanthala

Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of child abuse, physical and mental abuse, and homicide.

Please read at your own discretion.

After eight years behind bars for the murder of her mother, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, now 32 years old, was released from prison last month on December 28th. Her release was highly anticipated due to the widespread publicity of her story and the sympathy she garnered for it.

Gypsy ’s upbringing in Louisiana with her parents, Clauddine “Dee Dee’’ and Rod Blanchard, was marked by frequent surgeries and hospital visits. Since Gypsy ’s infancy, her mother claimed her daughter possessed various medical disorders and conditions, including sleep apnea, muscular dystrophy, leukemia, and an unspecified chromosomal disorder. However, to few people’s knowledge at the time, Gypsy did not possess any of these illnesses; her mother fabricated the symptoms. Gypsy is a victim of a rare form of child abuse known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, or factitious disorder imposed on another—a psychological disorder in a caretaker that manifests in mental and physical abuse and medical neglect against the victim.

Gypsy ’s childhood was severely affected by her supposed medical conditions. She wasn’t allowed to walk on her own and had to be homeschooled.

She underwent multiple unneeded medical operations and surgeries. Dee Dee went through many layers of deception to craft this life for Gypsy: she fabricated Gypsy ’s medical documents and birth certificate, lied to healthcare providers, isolated her by taking her out of school and destroying her computer, and even used methods of physical abuse to keep Gypsy quiet. In 2012, when Gypsy was 21 years

old, she bypassed her mother’s internet restrictions and met a man in an online forum whom three years later, she hired to kill her mother, leading to her arrest.

Recently, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released from captivity after the infamous trial. Although Gypsy Rose was initially sentenced to ten years, she was granted parole in September 2023, leading to her release two years earlier than expected. While this case is shocking, the immense support from social media fans and the general public is even more shocking.

Gypsy Rose is quite active on numerous social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, and has over 7 million followers on each.

Almost all of her followers on social media are incredibly supportive and “protective” of Gypsy. Most comments on Gypsy ’s social media are extremely positive and uplifting, considering her circumstance. For example, on Blanchard’s Instagram post about a Broadway show, many comments warned her to post content only after leaving the show to not reveal her location. Many fans have Gypsy Rose’s safety in consideration.

In addition to her social media presence, Gypsy Rose has been the inspiration for numerous documentaries exploring her tragic childhood. The most widely known documentary is “ The Act” starring Joey King as Gypsy Rose. “ The Act” is a dramatic Hollywood take on Gypsy Rose’s trial. The 2019 series won many awards, some of which include Patricia Arquette’s Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.

Overall, despite her horrible and troubling past, Gypsy Rose has become a fast-rising star in today ’s modern world.

HOLE IN THE PLANE: BOEING 737 MAX 9 BLOWOUT SUMMARY

By Julee Jiang

“A part of the plane flew off not even 20 min into our flight??” The shocking video that went viral overnight captured a gaping hole in the side of the plane and all oxygen masks deployed inside the cabin.

On January 5, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, carrying 171 passengers and six crew members, was forced to make an emergency landing at Portland International Airport after a door plug—a panel used to seal unused emergency exits on planes—fell off the plane 20 minutes into the flight. The blowout caused an unplanned drop in the pressure of the aircraft cabin, leading to the deployment of the oxygen masks.

Several passengers shared their experiences, with one recalling the ordeal as “traumatic,” “tense,” and “jarring,” and another stating that she witnessed a mother screaming and crying after her son, who was sitting just a row in front of the hole, had his shirt ripped off from the suction outside the cabin (CNN). Luckily, no passengers were seated in the seats next to the panel, and nobody was seriously injured.

A day after the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a directive for the nationwide grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft until they undergo careful inspections. Currently, as the investigation progresses, there is one critical factor hampering its progress: the loss of cockpit audio recordings, which are responsible for capturing engine sounds and pilots’ conversations. In a news conference, Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board in the Biden administration, explained that cockpit voice recorders have a two-hour capacity. Unfortunately, the

cockpit voice recorder circuit breaker in the plane was not deactivated after the accident, leading to the overwriting of the recording by the time it was accessed. The cabin door plug was later discovered in the backyard of a school teacher’s home in Portland.

On January 8, United Airlines reported finding “loose bolts” on an undisclosed number of grounded aircraft. On the same day, Alaska Airlines reported finding “loose hardware” on certain planes. “ The NTSB’s initial assessment has found that the stop pads and fittings of the door plug and frame were intact, and that the plug had moved upwards to clear the pads to enable its ejection from the aircraft” (Wikipedia). However, the upper guide fittings on the door plug were fractured. As of now, the investigation is focused on the status of retention bolts that prevent the door plug from moving upward.

CLIMATE CHANGE, A COLD WAR, AND THE CIA

By Abheek Batra

gypsy rose — people magazine

CONTROVERSIAL COLORADO SUPREME COURT RULING

By Aarna Kamath

On December 19, 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court issued a ruling removing former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 Presidential Primary ballot. In justifying this decision, the court cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution against Trump’s involvement in the attack on the Capitol in January of 2021, which states that anyone who incites, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the United States will be incapable of holding office.

“Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election,” tweeted Trump in response to Peter Nevarro’s report claiming election fraud. “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!” The tweet gained rapid attention nationally, particularly from Trump’s followers, leading to a violent mob invading the Capitol on January 6, the day Joe Biden’s victory in the electoral college was to be certified.

Many opposed the ruling, claiming that Trump did not play an active

role in the attack, and that the ruling was an erroneous interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Many felt that while the amendment prevents “serving in certain offices,” it does not explicitly identify a candidate’s disqualification from running for office. Removing Trump from the ballot and preventing him from running at all was perceived as an overreach of federal power.

However, the ruling passed with a 4-3 decision. “ The Colorado Supreme Court erred in how it described President Trump’s role in the events of January 6, 2021,” Trump’s attorneys argued in their petition to the court. “It was not insurrection and President Trump in no way engaged in insurrection.”

After Trump appealed to the US Supreme Court, they ultimately agreed and set a schedule to review the case.

The decision of this case will likely not only determine whether Trump will be eligible for the 2024 ballot but also whether he will be allowed to hold any political office in the future.

As global temperatures rise, habitats face destruction, and carbon emissions reach unprecedented levels, most of us have become quite familiar with climate change and its ramifications. The development of cleaner energy sources and the preservation of ecosystems is only a race against time. However, after closely examining government efforts to mitigate climate change, it can be seen that the effects of climate change were well-known, but taking action against them was not made a priority when it should have been. In the 1950s, geopolitical tensions between the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.) and the United States of America were at an all-time high as both parties tried to outdo each other in any possible way. Everyone lived under the constant threat of a full-scale nuclear war.

Around this time though, the U.S. was not exactly winning the ensuing arms and science race, and after the Soviets launched their first satellite, the American government was desperate to see what the U.S.S.R. was up to. However, it was too dangerous to put anything in Russian territory given a U.S. spy plane had been shot down a few weeks before, so the U.S. decided to put cameras in space. This classified project has only come to light now because it is helping the world solve a drastically different crisis: climate change.

As of 2023, 2,600 active satellites are orbiting the Earth—2,600 satellites that help us stream shows, provide internet connectivity, and take pictures that compare places with how they looked in the past. Such trinkets may seem common nowadays, but back during the days of the Cold War, satellites that took pictures seemed like some far-fetched science fiction, especially considering the U.S.’s prior failures to send machinery into space.

The more desperate they became, the more money the U.S. government put into ambitious space projects like the spy-satellite program, Project Corona.

Scientists faced many challenges, including adapting these cameras for space use. Spy cameras tend to rotate for a higher resolution image, but an entire satellite cannot rotate properly in a zero-gravity environment. The

scientists had to figure out how to get a film into space and how to get the film back to Earth safely.

To do that, it was decided that whenever the film filled up, it would shoot down to Earth with the help of a deployed parachute. Then, it would be caught by a plane using a hook. Soon enough, in 1960, the spy-satellite program proved successful, and the U.S. became the first to recover an object from space, faster than the Soviets by 5 days.

12 years later, after 150+ film canisters had been recovered, Project Corona lay long-forgotten in the history books. The Soviet Union had collapsed, rendering all the satellites seemingly useless—that is, until Al Gore, the then Senator from Tennessee, asked the CIA if these cameras could be used to observe environmental change. At the time, the head of the CIA, Bob Gates, was open to doing so if the government would be willing to share these top-secret images. Certain images were chosen, and they had their resolution degraded. Then, scientists were recruited to what was called the Environmental Task Force, a committee dedicated to analyzing these satellite images. They found a time capsule of photos that gave them an insight into Earth’s past and present. They had a multitude of images and data that other environmental agencies could only dream of having. Spies and scientists were collaborating for the first time in history.

This project also drew an unlikely ally, Russia, a nation that had been sending submarines to ice caps for decades and knew how thick the ice was— information that was critical for climate research. Together, the U.S. and Russia established a common database that changed the way we look at the world now. For example, the teams of scientists working on the project observed how the ice caps have lost half of their thickness in the last 28 years.

So, this tale of scientists and spies, two contrasting powers, coming together in the face of a common crisis, shows us how crucial it is that we combat this climate crisis, and how, together, we can find a realistic and efficient solution.

5

VOL . 3, NO. 5

GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA: PERRY HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING

By Thanisha Thambidurai

Trigger Warning: The following article contains mentions of homicide and gun violence.

“Now we wait” — the caption of an Iowa student’s final TikTok before initiating a school shooting at Perry School, Iowa.

On January 4, 2024, seventeen-year-old Dylan Butler opened fire at Perry School, injuring seven students and staff members and claiming the life of one student before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The attack happened in the conjoined cafeteria of Perry Middle School and Perry High School during the breakfast program on the first day back from break. The shooting rocked the small town of Perry, and the aftermath traumatized students, faculty, parents, and the entire community.

At 7:37 A.M. Central Standard Time, the local authorities were alerted of the attack and arrived at 7:44 A.M.; Principal Dan Marbuger attempted to distract Butler, sustaining injuries that allowed other students to escape the scene. Marburger, who was shot multiple times and has since been lauded as a hero for his efforts in helping students stay safe, passed away from his injuries on January 14, 2024. The

authorities found Butler armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. Butler had already shot himself by the time the authorities appeared at the scene. After searching the premises, the police discovered and safely disabled a homemade bomb in the school.

Despite the relatively quick arrival of the police at the scene, one student lost their life, and four other students and two staff members were injured. Elevenyear-old Ahmir Jolliff, a sixth grader at Perry Middle School affectionately nicknamed “Smiley” at home, was shot three times and killed by Butler in the cafeteria.

He was described by his mother as “wellloved” and an “outgoing person” (Source: MSN). His funeral took place at Perry’s Saint Patrick Catholic Church on January 11, where his loved ones mourned. Jolliff is yet another innocent child gunned down in a school shooting, a victim unfortunate enough to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In terms of why Butler initiated the attack, no clear motive has been identified for the shooting, but Butler’s mother and friends said that he was “a quiet person who had been bullied for years.” It is be-

usa today

COMEBACK OF CARTI

By Josh Peter

Playboi Carti has finally gifted his waiting fans with a cascade of audacious releases that redefine the boundaries of hip-hop. In an unconventional move, Carti’s new sound displays a daring switch from his traditional screechy, punk-trap sound (laced with baby talk…) to one that is new, experimental, and different. His recent tracks, unveiled between December 2023 and January 2024, are a testament to his unwavering commitment to releasing music with a signature that departs from the norm. Join us as we unravel the multifaceted brilliance of his musical metamorphosis.

“UR THE MOON” 12/8/2023

Carti initiated his series of recent single releases with “UR THE MOON,” an Instagram exclusive that opens with an infectious EDM-infused beat, only to be ensnared by an undercurrent of brooding darkness. What emerges is Carti’s velvety, hushed delivery — a whispery cadence, uncharacteristic of his previous works. This track, with its ethereal aura, emulates the essence of a poignant

edweek.org

lieved that the “last straw” may have been when school faculty failed to do anything when Butler’s sister was being bullied as well (Source: ABC News). At the time of writing, authorities have not identified how Butler, a minor, procured the weapons, nor have the claims of bullying been delved into.

Butler’s last TikTok, which has since been removed from his account named “tooktoomuch,” was a selfie taken in a bathroom stall with a blue duffle bag by his feet with the caption “now we wait.”

The post was accompanied by the song “Stray Bullet” by the German rock band KMFDM, notoriously used on the personal website of Eric Harris, a shooter in the Columbine High School massacre nearly twenty-five years ago. In other videos on his account, Butler impersonated the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and The Cook from “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Additionally, a spokesperson for Discord, a popular online messaging platform, informed NBC News that the company is convinced that the account “took2much” was Butler’s. Some final unsettling messages from the Discord account were Butler telling online friends that he was “gearing up” and “There’s a n***** in the bathroom, I need him to leave so that I can assemble my guns.”

Politicians have since responded on social media to the event. Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate for the 2024 election, was set to hold a campaign on January 4 in Iowa but changed it to a prayer for all the families impacted by the shooting. Nikki Haley, former UN ambassador and GOP primary presidential can-

didate, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “We have to secure our schools the same way we secure our airports.” In an interview, Haley told the Des Moines Register and NBC News that the nation needs to focus on the mental health of young adults, teens, and children before more Americans are lost. The White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shared her sorrows and urged Congress to pass more laws to fight gun violence. Former President Donald Trump expressed his condolences but stated that “we have to get over it” (Source: Yahoo News).

Gun violence in the United States has become disturbingly prevalent in communities, schools, and resorts. The Perry School shooting sparked debates about gun violence and gun safety in the United States. According to CNN, 82 school shootings took place in 2023. The United States has been recognized as the country with the most school shootings. Imagine sending your child to school in the morning and learning that your child has lost their life or has been injured in a shooting at their school. Or, imagine realizing that the last thing you ever told your child was that they need to get ready for school faster or spend less time combing their hair.

While schools can always prepare with lockdown and stranger drills, the truth is that no school ever expects to be the location of a shooting. Creating an environment where teachers and students don’t need to live in fear of a school shooting or bomb threat is essential, and these conditions can be achieved by strengthening laws related to guns and enhancing security within schools.

coming-of-age narrative, demonstrating a divergence from Carti’s earlier repertoire.

Notable Lyric: “I don’t need a cosign, I need a diehard” [Alludes to Carti’s record label, “Opium”]

“2024” 12/14/2023

In the symphonic tapestry of “2024,” Carti orchestrates a crescendo of versatility. The track unfolds with a customary Carti flow, dark, yet light, gentle, yet aggressive. An almost random, soliloquy-like interlude elevates the narrative, inviting listeners into Carti’s internal monologue. As the track unfurls, Carti undergoes a vocal metamorphosis as he transitions into a raspier, huskier register — a proclamation of resilience against ‘cancel culture’’s whims.

Notable Lyric: “I can’t be canceled cuz you feel some type way ” [Refers to an incident in which Carti was accused of assaulting a pregnant woman, but prosecution was not pursued]

“H00DBYAIR” 12/19/2023

In the dystopian soundscape of “H00DBYAIR ,” the beat begins by res-

playboi carti — youtube

onating with sinister keys that cast an eerie shadow. Carti’s vocal resonance sends forth an aura of nonchalance as he plumbs the depths of a darker register. This deliberate lazy cadence crafts an effect that contrasts light and dark elements in the structure of the music. “H00DBYAIR” elegantly navigates these shifts and overlooks the boundaries of traditional song structures, reaffirming Carti’s prowess as a nontraditional musician.

Notable Lyric: “All you ever do is copy, all you ever do is mike, why you talking about me?” [In reference to the many artists inspired by Carti and who attempt to emulate him in their actions and music]

“BACKROOMS“ (FT. TRAVIS SCOTT) 1/1/2024

playboi carti — youtube

Carti unveiled “Backrooms”, a long-awaited collaboration with

Travis Scott, just as the clock struck midnight on New Year’s. The low-energy ambiance of the track envelops the listener, an ominous undertone exuding an ethereal backdrop. Lyrics reverberate with repetition, inducing a hypnotic trance that can unfortunately stale with multiple listens. Scott, usually either a dynamo on the mic or a soulful crower, delivers a subdued act in this track, which has been perceived as an uncharacteristically underwhelming contribution. Especially considering that he was one of Carti’s idols and inspirations, his lackluster performance has left many fans longing for a more dynamic collaboration. Echoing the sentiments of others, one netizen sarcastically claimed that, “trav verse was hard. peak lyricism when he rhymed 12 with 12 and myself with myself ”[opm-ry, on Reddit].

Notable Lyric: “I think I need me an Ice Spice; I want me a munch” [Ice Spice…]

6

J A N U A RY 2 6 , 2 0 2 4

FACING A CRISIS: NAVIGATING DRUG ABUSE, FENTANYL, AND

By Katherine He OVERDOSE WITH THE NCAPDA A guardian, a terrorist, a misunder- to spend more time developing char-

JUST ANOTHER GODZILLA MOVIE? GODZILLA MINUS ONE (2023) stood creature — Godzilla, a character featured in many films, captivates audiences due to its unmistakable dinosaur-like body and ability to be interpreted in countless different ways. The first Godzilla film came from Japan in 1954 and tremendously escalated in popularity, leading to the creation of 36 more Godzilla movies within the same franchise. The 36th installment, Godzilla Minus One, began its showings in November and continues to be played in theaters due to its immediate success in several countries.

Set in post-World War II Japan, this film features a lineup of human characters with complex personalities and emotional backstories. The main difference between Godzilla Minus One and all the other Godzilla films is its deep exploration of the human emotions and relationships that develop over the course of the film. The focus is on the people that we can relate to, not the big dinosaur monster. The main character, Shikishima, is a veteran who deals with his own doubts and monsters because of post-war trauma.

His story presents Godzilla as a terrifying monster and an undefeatable foe that relentlessly haunts him. With this portrayal of Godzilla, the film is able

acter arcs instead of trying to make Godzilla super cool and complex, acknowledging the difficulty of relating to a monster-like creature in the first place.

Besides all the story elements and details, this film is also cinematographically well-made. As someone who watched it in theaters, I can say the visuals were both realistic and impactful, despite the movie having a low budget compared to other popular movies such as those in the Marvel franchise. The dialogue in this film is all Japanese, but there are subtitles that are easy to understand and fit with the tones of the actors’ and actresses’ voices quite well. Godzilla Minus One is a masterfully done film with all factors executed nicely, but if I had to choose one flaw, it would be that the movie does have a few predictable cliches. I would recommend this movie to both Godzilla fans and casual movie-goers because it is a prequel and does not require any prior knowledge.

Overall, Godzilla Minus One stands as one of the best action and drama movies I have watched over the years, its excellence is further affirmed by its ranking as the 171st most high-rated movie on IMDb.

imdb

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: ARE THEY STILL USEFUL?

By Pranesh Saran

As the new year rolls around, a widespread custom, especially for those in the Western world, is the New Year’s resolution. Some of us might have even tried to set some ourselves, or we might have just seen others around us do it. However, it doesn’t quite work out in the end: according to research cited by Ohio State University, only 9% of Americans actually follow through with their New Year’s resolutions; about 43% end up dropping theirs by the end of January. Of course, not all resolutions can motivate you to muster the same commitment, but it’s still useful to revisit the reasons why people make New Year’s resolutions. Then, we can come up with strategies to help improve our commitment and resolve.

I’ll finally ponder whether it’s still useful to make New Year’s resolutions nowadays.

WHY DO WE DO IT?

Many New Year’s resolutions tend to be broad goals, focusing on a single habit people want to shun in the coming months. These can range from physical aspirations, like getting on a diet, exercising more, or not smoking, to mental or relationship goals, such as learning a new skill, improving mental health, or spending more time with friends and family. But why New Year’s?

According to Katy Milkman from the University of Pennsylvania and researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois, when we look at our life, we tend not to look at it as a

series of disparate events; rather, we organize them into “chapters” split by major events, such as marriage, buying a home, or graduating from college. Milkman goes on to explain that, in essence, our mind can also “turn the page” after a significant division of time, such as — you guessed it — a new year.

This mental “turning the page” helps us not only to feel as if we are starting anew but also to mentally distance us from the past actions we are trying to eschew. It can make us feel as if we will not repeat the same mistakes as the “old” us, and we may become more confident in achieving our goals as a result.

WHY DO THEY FAIL?

Well, it could be because of a myriad of things. Sometimes, the goals are just too broad to be approached all at once, and we lose motivation quickly. Or, it could just be that we’re not using the right strategies to make progress towards the things that we want to happen.

But, it’s also important to realize that you don’t necessarily have to set up a New Year’s Resolution just because it is a new year. Many of us strive to become more learned, knowledgeable, skilled, and fit, regardless of the time of year. However, setting goals to overcome problems we’re currently struggling with helps us define a clear objective. In addition, it makes sure that we’re constantly keeping in mind the reason why we’re doing what we’re doing, as

By Olivia Ma

The National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA), founded in San Ramon in 2010 by April Rovero, aims to protect people and save lives through “community education programs, policy change, legislative advocacy, and distribution of opioid overdose rescue kits (Narcan).” In the backdrop of her humanitarian work lies a personal tragedy — the passing of Rovero’s son in 2009, Joseph John Rovero III, a then-graduating senior who had overdosed the day before he was due to come home for winter break.

“It sounds like a ton of time has passed, but for me, I can go back to that very moment when we got the call,” said Rovero. “ There really aren’t words to adequately explain in detail the impact it has had on our family.”

The tragic loss of Joseph is just one of the many stories of tragic overdosing, which claimed 109,680 victims in 2022 alone (~79,000 being opioid-related), according to the CDC. Overdosing has affected every community and demographic, from teens to young adults to seniors.

To address this crisis, it is crucial for people to recognize symptoms of drug use in their community and loved ones.

Behavioral changes, such as frequent depressed states, mood swings, and loss of work efficiency coupled with noticeable physical changes such as extreme weight fluctuation and deterioration of appearance may signal drug use or addiction. While these are common symptoms of drug abuse, they are also often associated with other non-drug-related mental and physical illnesses.

As the drug market evolves, so does the risk of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid nearly 50 times stronger than heroin. Dealers have developed different methods to use fentanyl to grow their businesses, such as attracting users with colored pills resembling a Skittles packet, and more dangerously lacing common drugs with fentanyl to increase addiction in customers and thus make more money. The Fremont Police Department emphasized the addictiveness of fentanyl, stating, “Once you get introduced to it, there’s no going back.”

Furthermore, it is crucial to note that

any amount of fentanyl is harmful and easily deadly, with only 2 milligrams enough to kill the average person.

If someone near you overdoses, recognizing the signs—unresponsiveness, slowed breathing or heartbeat, and discoloration—is crucial. Immediate use of a naloxone kit (Narcan) and a call to emergency services can save someone’s life. Both fentanyl testing kits and naloxone kits can be found at some pharmacies and through the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline at 1-800-662-4357.

Combating drug abuse and overdosing is imperative in a modern society.

As the Fremont Police Department highlighted, it starts with helping people. “As police officers, we’re not just here to take people to jail, we’re here to help”, said the Fremont Police Department. “If you, your child, or someone you know has an addiction problem, feel free to call for help.” To help those who are affected by drug abuse and are at risk of overdose, it is important to dismantle the stigma surrounding addiction, to not treat victims as criminals but as people in need of support, care, and understanding.

opposed to broad goals, where the effort and work put in (oftentimes our only motivator) can take a long time to come to fruition. This is not to say that general and broad goals are necessarily bad things to wish for—it’s just that it would be more helpful to break them up into smaller goals based on specific issues you currently have.

sure that the resolution you’re making is necessary and practical. However, improvement often involves taking risks, and it’s better to get started sooner rather than later to keep the momentum going.

So, whether or not you’ ve set a New Year’s resolution already, take a little time to reflect on how it’s been going for you, both personally and academically. See if there are any recurring issues or obstacles you face, and feel free to experiment with different ways of going about your daily routines. You never know what works for you until you try it out!

HOW CAN WE HELP IT?

Well, first off, it’s not too late to start a New Year’s resolution! On the one hand, you shouldn’t get into the habit of feeling that a New Year’s resolution is just something you can “start” in a day—that ruins the special commitment of it. But, when you feel your New Year’s Resolution is losing traction, and you have ample free time to redouble your efforts on your goal, go ahead and recommit! In fact, there is even an unofficial New Year’s Resolution Recommitment Day (June 1st — almost half way through the year).

Another suggestion, as David Robinson mentions in his BBC article on New Year’s Resolutions, is to set approach goals rather than avoidance goals. That is, instead of aiming to stop doing something, consider starting something else in its place.

Think of it this way: instead of saying “I will spend less time indoors,” you could say “I will take a ten-minute walk outside every Friday.”

ARE RESOLUTIONS STILL USEFUL?

Of course! Just because they might not come to fruition quickly doesn’t mean they can’t be the push we need to start improving ourselves. As I’ ve mentioned above, you should make

7

VOL . 3, NO. 5

OPINION: THE CRIMINALIZATION OF LIFE-SAVING ABORTIONS

By Anjali Prabhu, Christopher Chen, and Shirley Fan In July of 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling overturned the Roe v. Wade precedent established in 1973, which guaranteed a federal and constitutional right to abortion. This overturn meant states now have the authority to implement their own abortion policies. Currently, 12 states have complete bans on abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest, 7 have limited legal abortion—where it may be banned as early as after 6 weeks of pregnancy—and the remaining states have little to no restrictions.

The consequences of lack of access to abortion are evident. According to a study published by CNN, the rates of mothers and newborns dying during or after pregnancy are much higher in states that greatly restrict or ban abortion in comparison to states with unrestricted access to abortion — with fetal or infant deaths occurring at a 15% higher rate and deaths of women age 15-44 from any cause occurring at a 34% higher rate in states which implement strong abortion restrictions or bans.

Even where abortion has not been made completely illegal, some hospitals and clinics are being forced to be more conservative in their decisions as they try to comply with the law. If an abortion is deemed illegal and they are tried, doctors and staff may lose their license or their clinic, be required to pay hefty fines, or be sent to jail. As America’s women navigate a post-Roe v. Wade world, here are three of 2023’s most significant cases on abortion.

BRITNEY WATTS - OH

33-year-old Brittany Watts had been in and out of the hospital in Ohio several times before she finally had a potentially fatal miscarriage in her bathroom. She is now being charged with felony abuse of a corpse, which could result in up to a year in prison and a $2500 fine—a charge that countless health professionals are decrying.

Many worry this will prevent other women with miscarriages from seeking medical attention. Traci Timko, Watts’ attorney, says Watts is being “demonized” for something that occurs every day. Around 30% of pregnancies result in miscarriages, often before a woman finds out she is pregnant in the first place (4-6 weeks after conception).

Many happen at home and are sometimes never reported. Watts had a rare, second-trimester miscarriage, her fetus just having turned 22 weeks at the time of miscarriage.

Watts was 21 and 5 days pregnant when she was admitted to a hospital due to vaginal bleeding and other strenuous signs of a likely premature pregnancy. The doctors told her she was “at significant risk of maternal death, sepsis or ‘complete placental abruption with catastrophic bleeding,’” concluding the fetus would not be viable and recommending her pregnancy be induced (NYT ). She returned the next day, but due to her pregnancy teetering on the edge of the 22-week abortion ban in Ohio, after which a fetus is generally considered viable, she had to wait 8 hours while hospital ethics teams debated whether or not to abort the pregnancy. Two days later, she had a spontaneous miscarriage and passed the fetus in her toilet after a morning of extreme pain and pressure.

Watts tried to flush and scoop up the result of her delivery and a mass of tissue, blood, and bodily fluid and placed it outdoors in a bucket, unsure of what to do. She was taken into the hospital later that day, and investigators were called after she spoke with the hospital nurses about the whereabouts of the fetal remains. Police found the fetus in the toilet and took the entire toilet into the morgue.

George Sterbenz, a forensic pathologist, testified that “an autopsy found no injury to the fetus and that the fetus had died before passing through the birth canal,” and that doctors and health professionals confirmed prior that the fetus was going to be nonviable and would be too young to be delivered (WAPO). The prosecution

says the main charges stem from the handling of the fetus after the miscarriage — however, there are no state guidelines for what a woman should do in the case of a miscarriage. Watts’ attorney responded by saying, “In most cases, criminal law applies to persons who are defined as humans who are viable. In Brittany ’s case, she knew the fetus was not viable” (WAPO). Regarding the law that Watts allegedly violated, which bars the mistreatment of a human corpse, Timko further clarified, “From a legal perspective, there’s no definition of ‘corpse.’ Can you be a corpse if you never took a breath?”

(NYT ).

Grace Howard, an assistant justice studies professor at San José State University, explained how the Roe v.

Wade ruling was a “legal roadblock to charging felonies for unintentionally harming pregnancies, when women were legally allowed to end their pregnancies through abortion” (AP). With the ruling overturned, this has paved the way for cases like Watts’, where she is being charged over having an “entirely ordinary ” miscarriage. The Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights question whether the prosecution would want a woman to retrieve the fetal tissue — whether they are at home, at work, at school, or a restaurant — and preserve it “until the tissue can be disposed of properly even though Ohio law does not define what a proper disposal method would be” (CNN).

Watts expressed to the Washington Post how these charges have prevented her from being able to properly grieve the loss of her baby, all as she struggles to pay the mounting medical and legal bills for the past few months. Her case is currently pending in front of the Trumbull County Grand Jury.

KATE COX - TX

Even with life-threatening pregnancies, women are often not granted access to an abortion. States that ban abortions often have exceptions for complications that pose a life-threatening danger to the mother, but those thresholds often are vague and extremely high.

On the 5th of December, 2023, Kate Cox filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas for the right to terminate a pregnancy that her doctors said threatened both her life and her future fertility. At the time of filing the lawsuit, Cox was 20 weeks pregnant and her fetus was diagnosed with a rare and deadly genetic condition called Trisomy 18 — the disease, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a chromosomal condition that can cause heart defects and organ abnormalities. Almost all fetuses with this condition are miscarried or stillborn.

Even if the baby survives full-term, “no more than 10% survive past their first birthday ” (Cleveland Clinic).

According to the lawsuit, Cox had been to three different emergency rooms due to “severe cramping and unidentifiable fluid leaks” and because she had two prior C-sections, continuing the pregnancy puts her at high risk for severe complications that threaten her life and future fertility (CNN).

Since the summer of 2022, Texas law has blocked essentially all abortions other than those “to avert the woman’s death or a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function” (Texas Health and Safety Code, Sec. 171.046).

However, in Cox’s case, the law is too vague to definitively determine whether her circumstances meet the conditions of the exception. Her physicians told her that their “hands are tied” and that she would have to either wait until the baby died in her or have to carry the baby to term, have a third C-section, and watch her baby die.

On December 7, 2023, a district court judge granted Cox a temporary restraining order against the state that would allow Cox to have an immediate abortion. However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned Cox’s physician that if Cox underwent an abortion, she could still face civil and criminal penalties at some point. Paxton

argued that Cox did not demonstrate her pregnancy was life-threatening.

On December 8, the Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked Cox from receiving an abortion and on December 11, the court issued a ruling siding with Paxton and reversing the district court ruling. They said “Dr. Karsan did not assert that Ms. Cox has a ‘life-threatening physical condition’ or that, in Dr. Karsan’s reasonable medical judgment, an abortion is necessary ” (Supreme Court of Texas). The court’s opinion said that life-saving abortions should be up to doctors and not judges and since Cox’s doctor did not establish that her symptoms were life-threatening, her abortion was rejected.

Cox ended up fleeing Texas to undergo an abortion. However, for many women, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, traveling to a different state for an abortion is simply not an option.

DEBORAH DOBERT - FL

Deborah Dobert, age 33, was pregnant with her second baby when at a routine check-up in November of 2022, she was given the daunting news that the fetus wasn’t developing properly.

Diagnosed with Potter’s syndrome, the fetus had not developed kidneys and was unable to produce sufficient amniotic fluid. The lack of amniotic fluid led to further abnormalities in various organs including the fetus’s heart and stomach. In almost all cases, Potter syndrome is a lethal diagnosis, and in Dobert’s case, her maternal-fetal medicine specialist confirmed that the fetus’s “condition was incompatible with life” (Washington Post).

Dobert was given a choice by her specialist — to continue to full term or to terminate the pregnancy through surgery or by inducing preterm labor.

Hoping to reduce the physical and emotional pain that she had to experience, Dobert and her husband settled on terminating the pregnancy. Yet, a

few weeks after having made the difficult decision, her specialist “concluded that Deborah would have to wait until close to full term” to terminate her pregnancy.

Florida’s new House Bill 5 — Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality — threatens license retractions, steep fines, and prison sentences for physicians who are found in violation of its policies. Many clinics and physicians, hoping to err on the side of caution, refuse to provide abortion access even in cases like Dobert’s. Unable to terminate her pregnancy in her own state, Dobert considered traveling out of state, but under pressing financial situations, she was ultimately unable to.

On March 3rd, Milo, Deborah Dobert’s second son, died in her arms shortly after he was born, just as her specialist had predicted. “He gasped for air a couple of times,” Dobert said.

“I watched my child take his first breath, and I held him as he took his last one.” The immeasurable physical and emotional trauma experienced

by Dobert throughout her pregnancy shows the dire consequences that arise from the lack of legal abortions for high-risk pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

Other than these cases, there have been many more where women were denied abortions for high-risk and even life-threatening pregnancies. Currently, more than 25 million women aged 15 to 44 live in states with restrictions to abortion access. The consequences of these restrictions are countless.

Women are forced to flee out of state for access to essential abortion care, carry life-threatening pregnancies to term, and even resort to unsafe and unregulated underground abortions.

Further, Dobbs v. Jackson sets a precedent for further Supreme Court actions against U.S. citizens’ rights. Isn’t the issue of whether our women are safe more important than the politicization of abortion and reproductive care?

pbs news

NEW YEAR WITH NYC BALL DROP

By Selena Peng

Across the globe, numerous celebrations mark the arrival of the new year.

One such celebration is the iconic ball drop in New York City ’s Times Square, drawing in millions of people every year! This sensational event unfolds at midnight when an eleven-thousand-pound ball, adorned with over two thousand crystals, is dropped.

Since 1904, this event has recurred almost annually, with the design of the ball changing over the years. The material has transitioned from wood to iron to crystals! The idea behind the ball drop is to show a passage through time. This event has grown tremendously over the years and has become an international attraction. The 2024 celebration featured Sabrina Carpenter along with many other celebrity guests performing in Times Square.

However, due to the event’s immense popularity, eager viewers must arrive at Times Square hours before the event to get the best seats. Not only that, but the rule states that once

one enters, reentry is forbidden. This means one must endure for hours without restroom breaks if one wants to keep their position. The temperature is also extremely cold during this time of year, so wearing warm attire is a must! Unfortunately, due to the crowd, nine people were injured by a driver on Monday morning. The car collided with police cars, a food truck, and the sidewalk.

nyeball

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J A N U A RY 2 6 , 2 0 2 4

THE THRILL OF APPLYING FOR COLLEGE

STAIRS VS. ELEVATORS

By Emma Ma

A few months ago, the seniors at BASIS Independent Fremont Upper Campus began filling out and submitting their college applications.

This year, the seniors will be the first class to graduate from our Fremont campus—a sure cause for celebration.

With news of admittances already spreading throughout the community, anticipation is at its peak. Having gone through the entire college application process, some seniors have decided to share some of their thoughts and experiences.

The college application process is a crucial chapter in many students’ lives, as it marks the transition from high school to higher education. It is a demanding journey that involves compiling years of achievements, filling out infinite forms, and taking numerous standardized tests. Personal essays, however, are at the heart of the college application process, providing a platform to showcase one’s unique talent and potential. As promising of an opportunity as essays can be, it comes with its fair share of difficulties.

A student comments, “ The application process was quite boring and difficult to be honest—it’s writing countless essays about yourself, which you’ ve probably never done before and you’ll never do again.” You must turn your past experiences, dreams, and identity into an engaging narrative without falling victim to cliches. It is easy to let the desire to stand out and be memorable overwhelm the ability to create a genuine piece of writing. Along with these challenges, the sheer number of essays required is incredibly daunting.

Furthermore, extracurriculars are another key component in the application process. They offer students the chance to showcase their passions,

By Sheil Mody and Vincent Yang

leadership skills, and community contributions. However, as a student notes, “Ultimately, it’s not about how many clubs you can join or how many extracurricular classes you can take — it’s about choosing and pursuing the classes and clubs that you yourself are truly interested in and passionate about. That curiosity and passion that you foster through your extracurriculars can take you far, in college and beyond.” Although there has been a trend of students amassing ginormous lists of extracurricular activities, the emphasis is now shifting from quantity to quality. It is no longer about how many clubs you can participate in but instead about which clubs resonate with you and pique your interest. Extracurriculars reflect your character and your values—they are much deeper than just statistics.

Another student, reflecting on his experience, remarks, “I wish I had placed less value on the overall experience - it wouldn’t have been nearly as stressful.” This sentiment showcases the underlying pressure that students often impose on themselves throughout the application process.

They tend to focus solely on admission to their dream school, which overshadows the broader purpose of the college experience itself—a period of exploring and expanding your knowledge. For most, college is merely a milestone in their journey to achieve greater things.

Most students are still awaiting their dream offer, which will (hopefully) come soon. I hope to share more seniors’ experiences, insights, and suggestions to those who will have to go through the same process in years to come. But for now, let’s pray for good news all around.

vermont public

THE DESPAIR OF STAIRS

Picture this: after twelve hours of driving, you’ ve finally reached your hotel for the night. With an aching back, you unload your luggage. You walk into the lobby and obtain the keys to your room. “Floor seven,” it says. You stare straight up as you see the large spiral of staircases after your already exhausting day. You then look down at the 50-pound suitcase and sigh. But then, a lightbulb emerges over your head. You look around and eventually spot the steel box that will relieve all dread – an elevator! You curse those pesky stairs and lug your suitcase over to the elevator, thanking Elisha Graves Otis for his beautiful invention.

Stairs have long been a ubiquitous feature in households, serving as a simple and traditional means of moving between different levels of a home.

While they do come with some advantages, such as providing a mild form of exercise, they often pose challenges and inconveniences for many individuals. Despite being designed to cater to the needs of the majority, stairs can prove to be a significant obstacle for some, particularly those with mobility issues or disabilities. The limitations of stairs become apparent when considering the diverse needs of people.

In contrast, elevators assert themselves as a universally superior alternative. Elevators address the challenges posed by stairs by providing seamless, efficient, and faster vertical transportation that benefits everyone, regardless of their walking capabilities. Elevators offer a hassle-free solution for individuals using wheelchairs, sparing them from the physical strain and potential harassment that staircases may pose. In this way, elevators not only enhance accessibility but also promote inclusivity by ensuring that everyone can find their way through a building comfortably and independently. With their capacity to assist a diverse range of people, elevators are a superior and more inclusive choice compared to traditional staircases.

Stairs are also much more risky and unsafe compared to elevators because they pose a much greater potential threat. While stairs come with inherent risks, such as the potential for trips, slips, and falls, elevators are designed with a focus on minimizing these hazards. Modern elevators are equipped with numerous safety features, including emergency stop buttons, sensors, and backup systems, ensuring the well-being of passengers. Additionally, elevators are particularly advantageous in emergencies, as they provide a secure and swift means of evacuation in comparison to navigating potentially crowded and hazardous staircases, which can quickly become crowded in a panic to escape. In conclusion, while stairs offer more simplicity, the safety and effectiveness of elevators trump the complications that come with stairs.

SEE YOU LATER, ELEVATOR

The elevator can certainly be considered a modern miracle—an ingenious device that has lifted humanity both literally and metaphorically.

From Elisha Otis’s groundbreaking safety brake in the 19th century to the soaring skyscrapers of the 20th century, elevators have etched their mark on history as a tool that has brought upon much convenience. However, when evaluating whether they are better than stairs, it is obvious that elevators are not up to par. In the fervent pursuit of comfort and easy solutions, we are inveigled into the mechanical prison that is the elevator and relinquish the many benefits of stairs as a method of vertical transportation.

Stairs, unlike elevators, offer more than a means to ascend from one floor to another; they also provide a builtin fitness regimen. The act of climbing up stairs engages and strengthens important muscles, including the glutes, the hamstrings, the quadriceps, and the abdominal muscles, while also boosting one’s cardiovascular endurance and calorie expenditure.

Moreover, climbing stairs is an activity that reduces the risk of osteoporosis or other similar conditions, as each step helps stimulate bone density, promoting healthy skeletons and joints. Stairs can thus be considered a symbol of good health and fitness, while elevators represent the exact opposite by promoting a sedentary lifestyle. Think about the last time you used an elevator; you may have salvaged a minute or two, but in doing so, you gave up a valuable opportunity to better yourself. As stated by Tony Chen (Columbia 2028), “Stairs symbolize the rewarding ascent of effort and progress, while elevators offer mere convenience, devoid of the journey ’s triumph.”

Furthermore, stairs are not only designed efficiently but also retain a degree of reliability that an elevator simply does not possess. Elevators rely on electricity and mechanical systems, unlike stairs. Thus, the use of stairs bears a lesser strain on the environment. In addition, stairs are far more cost-effective, as they do not require the constant maintenance and servicing that an elevator needs to function. The fact that elevators require such a significant amount of work to maintain indicates that they are prone to fail without such maintenance, and when they fail, these bastions of convenience become metallic coffins in which people can be trapped for hours without help. Stairs have no such limitations—there is a reason why emergency fire exits always take the form of a flight of stairs rather than an error-prone elevator.

Due to these factors, it is abundantly clear that stairs offer value that far transcends that of an elevator. Elevators may possess the allure of swift and effortless transport, but the staircase prevails as a healthier and more reliable option. Next time you are faced with a choice between the two, you should confidently stride on the path less taken, knowing that it is the superior one.

STAFF MEMBERS: Editors-in-Chief: Christopher Chen, Julee Jiang and Olivia Ma Editors: Esha Bansiya, Vera Lin, Alicia Peng, Anjali Prabhu, and Alan Xiao Staff Writers: Aarna Kamath, Abheek Batra, Ailsa Wu, Angela Cao, Ayush Swarnakar, Emma Ma, Josh Peter, Katherine He, Kevin Weng, Krish Mangrolia, Pooja Kanthala, Pranesh Saran, Sachit Parekh, Sarah Wu, Selena Peng, Sheil Mody, Shirley Fan, Shreya Sadhwani, Shubh Bachkethi, Thanisha Thambidurai, Tycho Young, Vera Lin, Vincent Yang, Zuoyi Nick Lin Graphic Design: Ada Costiniano, Christopher Chen, Julee Jiang, Katherine He, Olivia Ma Thank you for reading the fifth issue of the third volume of The Yellow Pages! We hope you enjoyed reading the issue as much as we enjoyed the process of creating it! If you have any comments, suggestions, questions, or notice any mistakes in our newspaper, please contact bifyellowpages@gmail.com. We will include corrections for our errors and typos in the following issue.