Vol III, No. 9

THE YELLOW PAGES THE YELLOW PAGES

BIFU’S FROZEN JR. GAVE US THE CHILLS

By Katherine He, Pooja Kanthala, and Ailsa Wu

As we draw the curtains on the 23-24 academic year, most of us are already thinking about our summer vacation plans; but inside the drama classroom at BASIS Independent Fremont, students have been tirelessly preparing since January to unveil their chillingly spectacular rendition of a Broadway Junior musical, Frozen Jr. The play is an adaptation of the 2018 Frozen musical for young performers, but still includes many of the familiar songs and characters we know from the original film as well as some newer, original add-ons.

the final curtain call, with everyone taking their bows amidst thunderous applause from the audience.

The drama class’s production of Frozen Jr. was a highly anticipated event, and on the night of the performance, the seats in the MPR were completely packed with audience members – students and parents alike – buzzing with excitement as they eagerly awaited the start of the show. The production did in no way disappoint. The sets and costumes were beautifully designed,

and the digital backdrops created an immersive atmosphere throughout the story. The cast, made up of middle and high schoolers, performed each scene and number exceptionally well, embodying their characters onstage. The songs, featuring some favorites such as “Let It Go”, “Love is an Open Door”, and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, as well as new ones such as “A Little Bit of You” and the very energetic and catchy “Hygge”, showcased many talented voices amongst our student body. The audience laughed, cried, cheered, and clapped as the themes of love, family, and acceptance were portrayed through breathtaking and emotional performances, such as Samhita M.’s (11) performance of “Let It Go” as Elsa, and humorous performances, like KaiRi H.’s (7) solo number, “In Summer”, as Olaf and “Fixer Upper” performed by the fluorescent green-haired troll ensemble. At the end of the show, the entire cast and crew came onstage for

After the play ended, we, attentive members of the audience, were awestruck by the passionate performance, leading us to inquire about how the entire production came together. Through talking to some of the actors, as well as the drama teacher, Mr. Acevedo, we were able to learn about the process of creating the show, as well as appreciate all the work that had gone into the production. Due to Mr. Acevedo’s prior experience leading the student actors, he knew since before this 2023-24 school year that their closing play of the year had to be something suitable for both the actors and the audience, meaning romance would not be a major theme in it. At long last, Frozen Jr. was chosen, and everyone began putting in their efforts for the rehearsals and planning, which began this January. Actors Sharanya C. (9) and Ronald W. (8), who played Anna and Hans respectively, both cited that the beginning of rehearsal was rough for the group, especially because it was such a large group of young students from different grade levels. However, through daily meetings and rehearsals, the show started to come together. Actors began learning their parts through

blocking (positioning and movements), learning lines, and memory cues.

“There’s a lot of repetition that goes on. A lot,” Mr. Acevedo, the director himself, said with a knowing laugh.

Meanwhile, the tech crew busied themselves with creating the fantastic props and sets that we saw during the show. In the week before the performance, known as tech week, the students dedicated even more hard work to the production, attending supplementary rehearsals every day after school, where they tied all elements of the performance together and made sure everyone would be prepared for opening night, where everyone’s efforts finally shone through.

The actors we spoke to, though stating that the production was difficult at first, considered the final performance to have been worth all of the effort. The entire process taught the students to build confidence, and demonstrated that hard work really does pay off in the end.

“I love seeing what the kids can do,” said Mr. Acevedo. “It’s [their] show, not mine. I’m just really proud of our students for being able to come out of their shells and perform. I’m also grateful for a student body that’s supported the drama kids and our productions.” BASIS Independent Fremont Journalism

by Katherine He

Photos

A LETTER FROM A RETIRING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

By Christopher Chen

Hi my fellow Yellow Jackets,

It’s truly surreal — writing my last article ever for The Yellow Pages. I’ll soon be graduating from the place I have called “my school” for seven years, BASIS Independent Fremont. As I near the end of my high school journey, I’ve found myself often reflecting on the past half-decade and unearthing various emotions — commiseration for my exhausted, junior-year self, gratitude for my peers, teachers and staff, and pride for how the school community has blossomed.

Occasionally, I get approached by a student or parent asking the same question in one format or another — “What advice do you have for students who want to do well in high school?”

Different people have different perceptions of “doing well.” Many prefer to ask the question, “What advice do you have for students who want to get into a good college?” Others ask, “What advice do you have for students who want to make the most out of their high school experience?”

For either question, I’ve never really had a good answer.

The truth is, everyone’s background, everyone’s path, everyone’s purpose is different. Giving a blanket piece of advice to everyone is futile and there will always be exceptions. Nevertheless, I’m going to give you my two cents, the broadest, most widely applicable piece of advice that I can think of. But take it with a hefty grain of salt.

Enjoy it! That’s my advice. Now wait, I know it’s cliche, but before you give up reading the rest of this article, hear me out.

For me personally, taking notes from the APUSH textbook for homework was not the most tasteful experience. US History’s fun, not the thousand-page Advanced Placement United States History textbook. So, instead, I decided to make my APUSH notes my next art masterpieces. I challenged myself to write two lines instead of one line between the blue stripes of college-ruled binder paper. I used different-colored highlighters to paint my ink-packed canvas. Every time I would fill up a page, I would get a dose of dopamine, seeing the dense, delicate artwork I had just finished. APUSH notes became less of a chore and more of an artful meditation. By the end of the year, when it came to reviewing for the exam, I was left with, in my opinion, beautiful, compact notes that were extremely useful in studying.

Finding creative ways to enjoy the tasks at hand will make schoolwork, chores, and errands so much easier and so much more completable than before.

And for the things you already enjoy, the things you have a passion for, whether that be sports, biology, or photography, emphasize that passion. Every time you finish training, every time you walk out of your research lab, every time you come back from a photoshoot, take pride in the things you have just worked on and accomplished. Feel good about the effort you have put in, and wake up tomorrow eager to put in effort again. The results of your effort matter less than the amount of effort you have put in. When you start valuing the results over the process, burnout, frustration, and despair easily settle in. Sure, a trophy, an award, or a prize may look good on your high school resume or your nightstand, but in the long term, what will be more valuable is the passion that you can continue to enjoy and indulge

THE 2024 MET GALA: “THE GARDEN OF TIME” BY J.G. BALLARD MET BALLARD

By Emma Ma

Over the decades, the Met Gala red carpet has continuously showcased show-stopping high fashion looks. This year was no different, with countless celebrities appearing in stunning custom-made ensembles. The 2024 Met Gala was held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 1st, and the theme for the night was “The Garden of Time”, inspired by a short story of the same title written by J.G. Ballard in 1962. Let’s take a look at how all of the attendees incorporated it into their apparel!

1. Zendaya

Zendaya wore not one, but two gorgeous gowns. The first was a stunning deep blue and green John Galliano gown decorated with metallic berries, leaves, and birds—a subtle nod to the nature theme of “The Garden of Time”. The ensemble was topped with a feather fascinator, completing the peacock-esque look. For her second outfit of the night, Zendaya donned a black off-the-shoulder Vintage Givenchy dress with a ginormous train. A brightly colored bouquet hat sat on her head, adding a floral touch to her gothic attire.

2. Emma Chamberlain

World famous American social media personality Emma Chamberlain sported a custom dark brown Jean Paul Gaultier gown with gorgeous lace detailing. Paired with her dark, striking makeup, her outfit screamed gothic. It played into the tragic side of the story, evoking the image of a decaying, overgrown garden.

3. Tyla

“Water” singer Tyla showed up in a unique Balmain dress made of sand, which paid homage to the sands of time. Instead of interpreting the dress code as all things floral and nature, Tyla opted for the element of time.

in. Having a like-minded community can also do wonders for preserving and magnifying your passions. Working and learning with peers, admiring and enjoying the ways that they perfect their craft and express their passion — that’s the beauty of community and collaboration. Joining school clubs, signing up for summer camps, and even finding online communities through Discord or Reddit are all ways to find your like-minded kindred.

In my opinion, magnifying passions that you enjoy and pursuing those passions will carry you so much further than grinding something you can’t find passion for. I strongly believe this applies to both the college application process as well as life in general (caveat: I have not lived that long).

And of course, enjoy the things that are to be enjoyed — parties, video

games, TikTok. It’s always important to reset once in a while, get some distance and perspective. Play hard, then work a little harder, then play a lot harder. With all that being said, I know that what I’ve talked about may be hard to internalize or follow. High school is a journey with inevitable highs and lows. Sometimes, trying to enjoy the things you know your passionate about still proves difficult. I, personally, had my fair share of burnout weeks where I struggled to find motivation to do anything. But all you need is that one day or even one hour when you’re willing to put in the mental effort to enjoy the tasks at hand — and the snowball will start snowballing.

I truly appreciate the company of your eyeballs on my very last article.

Signing off, Christopher Chen

PRETTIEST

The strapless gown was plastered to her body, emphasizing herself as the hourglass. The look was completed with a smear of sand on her arm and an hourglass clutched in her hand.

4. Wisdom Kaye

The Nigerian-American fashion influencer and model wore a custom Robert Wun ensemble composed of a scarlet red suit and tailcoat, with burnt holes scattered throughout it. The coat was adorned with a single, extra-large rose lapel, paired with a matching scorched hat to complete the look.

1. Mona Patel

The entrepreneur and philanthropist stepped onto the runway wearing a glamorous cream Iris van Herpen gown reminiscent of a butterfly. The dress featured a train made of overlapping waves of fabric, which gave the outfit an elegant flair. However, the standout feature of this look was the intricate arm pieces made of fluttering mechanical butterflies. They moved in unison, breathing life into the ensemble.

2. Alia Bhatt

British actress Alia Bhatt wore an exquisite custom saree designed by the Indian couturier Sabyasachi. The saree featured a 23-foot long train and took 163 talented artists and 1,965 hours to complete. The work paid off in the end, leaving behind an enchanting creation of hand embroidery, precious stones, and meticulous beadwork.

3. Eiza Gonzalez Rivera

Mexican actress and singer Eiza Gonzalez Rivera was dressed in an ethereal Del Core gown made of pale pink petals layered in the shape of a tulip. The subtle rosy shading along the edges of the dress added a three-dimensional element to the fairy-like outfit.

CRAZIEST

1. Doja Cat

On her way to the Met, Doja Cat donned a towel dress and a wrapped towel around her head. When she arrived, she changed into an outfit by Vetements—a white floor-length T-shirt dress that appeared to be drenched in water. Although the dress seemed to make no sense at first glance, Doja Cat went on to explain that her “flower of choice” was cotton.

2. Cardi B

The successful American rapper em -

braced the floral theme by transforming herself into a magnificent black rose. Cardi B wore an enormous black tulle gown designed by Windowsen that covered the whole expanse of the red carpet, complemented by a tall turban and dramatic jewelry.

3. Lana del Rey

Lana del Rey arrived at the Met in a beige Alexander Mcqueen gown etched with stretching branches from her feet to the top of her head, where a large sheer veil was draped. The look was very mysterious, with the sharp contrast of the spiky branches and soft swathes of fabric creating an eerie aura.

CONTROVERSIES

J.G. Ballard’s “The Garden of Time”, which inspired this year’s theme, follows the story of a count and his wife as they live in a utopian world of luxury and beauty in their glamorous villa. However, their peace is threatened by a mob who approaches their home. In order to spend the last few remaining hours of his life in this utopia and escape the chaos, the count reverses time by picking special flowers from his garden. When there are no more flowers left, the mob descends upon their villa, leaving only statues of the count and countess behind. This theme represents temporary beauty, as the luxury of the count and countess lasted only briefly before they were brought into the violence and chaos around them.

The Met Gala’s choice of theme has also brought controversy to the event itself, as many activists, civilians, and online users alike have drawn a parallel between the plot of the book and current events, particularly the violence in Gaza. While the Met Gala itself is an older tradition that people around the world enjoy, many have argued that this year, such an extravagant spectacle only serves as a distraction and a quick escape from the mass destruction that has occurred in Gaza, and especially from the Israeli government’s recent invasion of Rafah on May 1st, the only place left for many Palestinian civilians to seek refuge.

the yellow pages (cohort of ‘24 pictured above), along with christopher chen (class of ‘24), thanks bif for an eventful experience over the past few years

Photo by BIF Journalism Club

DEAR EVAN HANSON: AN ODE TO

MENTAL HEALTH

DEAR TO MENTAL

By Thanisha Thambidurai

TRIGGER WARNING: MENTIONS OF SUICIDE

An intriguing take on anxiety and suicide, Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich with Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul seamlessly weaves mental health struggles with the plight of a teenager’s daily life. An adaptation of the Broadway play of the same name, the novel adds more emotional depth to the story by allowing readers to see the thoughts of the protagonist, Evan Hansen. Stunning as it is heartbreaking, the book presents a concept that so many people claim to understand but fail to exhibit: self-acceptance. Throughout the novel, Evan dances on the thin ice of the lie he improvised to bring hope to a grief-stricken family, pirouetting gracefully as it blossoms into a network of lies and new relationships. When Evan eventually falls through that ice, learning to pull himself out proves to be one of the most difficult moments of his life.

EVAN HANSEN

Dear Evan Hansen follows Evan, a teenager struggling with severe social anxiety as he entwines himself in the life of his classmate, Connor Murphy, after Connor commits suicide. When Evan’s therapist assigns him to write motivational letters to himself, Connor takes this letter and signs Evan’s arm cast. However, angry after reading his sister’s name in the letter and suspecting Evan’s intentions, Connor takes the letter and keeps it in his pocket before eventually committing suicide. Soon after, Connor’s parents find the letter and ask to meet with Evan, believing that Connor had written it for him as a token of friendship. On the spot, Evan begins weaving his web of lies as he tells Connor’s parents that they were close friends. From later crafting fake emails between him and Connor, to giving school speeches about the “impact” Connor had on him, to dating Connor’s sister Zoe, Evan’s life transforms practically overnight as he goes from being a wallflower to one of the most popular students at the school, in charge of The Connor Project. The Connor Project was an organization that worked to honor Connor and help other struggling students. Despite his efforts, the web of

lies eventually comes undone, and many of his relationships are ruined, including his and his mother’s, as she becomes greatly upset at how another family replaced her role in Evan’s life. When he comes clean, everything Evan predicted comes true: he loses the affection of the Murphy parents and his relationship with Zoe.

However, throughout this journey, Evan realizes that the personal connection he had always craved had to happen with himself before he could form it to others, reflecting a powerful theme echoing within the book’s pages — self-acceptance.

But perhaps more fascinating than Evan’s, is Connor’s story, told through chapters where Connor watches his family and people who never knew him react to his death. These chapters add a new perspective and allow the reader to understand how Connor feels about the lies being sprouted about him, as well as his struggle with mental health, drugs, and loneliness, despite being popular and constantly surrounded by many people.

CONNOR MURPHY

Most readers would say that Evan’s journey was the impactful and noteworthy story of the novel. To me, though, Connor’s tale made the book a page-turner because of how its depictions of Connor’s reactions were so raw and human, yet subtle in its effects. At first, as anyone would be, Connor is shocked and repulsed at what he witnesses: a classmate whom he had only spoken to twice not only claiming to be his best friend but also spreading lies about him. However, as the plot develops, Connor begins to feel for Evan and acknowledges that the scenarios Evan describes could’ve been wholesome and loving, if only they had been true. In the end, Connor and Evan are two sides of the same coin — different at face value but, underneath whatever they present themselves as or whatever other people see them as, the same. Eventually, they help each other come to terms with themselves, Connor in his ghost form, and Evan in his living form.

The humanity and realism of each character separate this novel from so many others. For example, despite being the main character, Evan is not described as a good person. The book is flooded with self-deprecating thoughts that drown Evan as he is buried beneath his deceptions and the weight of his actions. Most readers can discern that taking advantage of someone’s suicide to have a chance at the high school life you always wanted is morally wrong, no matter how guilty you feel about it.

SO WHAT, THEN, MAKES EVAN HANSEN SO RELATABLE?

In my opinion, the intentions behind his actions distinguish him from most other fraudulent characters. In the beginning, all he wants to do was console a heartbroken family reeling from their son’s suicide. As the plot progresses, Evan knows that revealing the truth will crush many hearts, including his own. By the end of the story, the harassment the Murphy family faces pushes Evan to his breaking point, where he reveals everything was a lie before attempting suicide for a second time. Another character who reflects how the majority of people would react to a scenario is Larry Murphy, Connor’s father, who loves Connor deeply, but doesn’t understand

his motives and is, therefore, unable to offer his son the help he needs. The reader may dislike him for considering Evan his son so soon after his real son died, but it is important to remember that everyone copes with grief differently. Larry conceals his grief the way he conceals his love for Connor, but his care for Connor shines in the most delicate way. Numerous novels are plagued with the predictable trope of characters pouring their hearts and souls out after a loved one’s death, so finding a character like Larry is as authentic as it is moving.

Breathtakingly exquisite, Dear Evan Hansen is an unembellished narrative of a teenage boy who grapples with himself and his imperfections, ultimately learning that the most beautiful moments in life come when you learn to accept yourself for who you are. Because in Evan Hansen’s words, today is going to be an amazing day.

“ Maybe, someday, some other kid is going to be standing here, staring out at the trees, feeling alone, wondering if maybe the world might look different from all the way up there. Better. Maybe he’ll start climbing, one branch at a time, and he’ll keep going, even when it seems like he can’t find another foothold. Even when it feels hopeless. Like everything is telling him to let go. Maybe this time he won’t let go. This time he’ll hold on. He’ll keep going.” - Evan Ha nsen.

“The isolation, unworthiness, loneliness. But how the hell do they know how I felt? I had to die for them to notice I was ever alive.” - Connor Murphy

Photos by Thanisha Thambidurai and FCWGraphics

a bifu student’s personal copy

graphic for the musical form of ‘dear evan hansen’

THE ETA AQUARIIDS METEOR SHOWER: HOW DO THEY WORK?

By Nick Lin

Meteor showers are often labeled one of the most beautiful sights on earth, compatible with the glowing lights of the Aurora Borealis and the shimmering Milky Way from the top of a mountain. Every year in late April and mid March, the Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower is visible around the world, known for its fast and glowing meteors with long tails. Such moments can provide people with an amazing view every year, allowing everyone to witness these scenes at least once in their lives. Each meteor shower is named after the constellation that the radiant point, the place where debris appears to originate from depending on an observer’s perspective, is directed towards, determines the name of a meteor shower. For example, Eta Aquariids is pointed at the constellation Aquarius, and the meteor shower Perseids is pointed at the constellation of Perseus.

BUT HOW EXACTLY DOES THIS NATURAL PHENOMENON OCCUR?

sun, are typically the primary source of meteors. As comets get closer and closer to the sun, the ice melts from the intense heat, prompting the nucleus to release dust and other chunks of material, otherwise known as debris, leaving behind a debris trail. This process prompts the occasionally large chunk of comet material to intersect with the Earth’s orbit, and eventually its atmosphere. As the debris falls through the atmosphere, it starts burning up from the surrounding air friction, releasing a long trail of light in the sky. If one piece of debris falls, it is labeled a shooting star, but if multiple pieces fall, it is then labeled a meteor shower, as multiple shooting stars, all with long trails of fluorescent light, fall through the sky. If the meteor shower is periodic, or occurs in intervals, then that means that the comet’s orbit is stable, and releases debris at the same spot on Earth’s orbit every time The Earth orbits the sun once.

WHERE DOES THE DEBRIS GO?

Each piece of debris falls from the sky at such high speeds, that most of them disintegrate completely from the large amount of air friction in the atmosphere before even touching the ground. However, exceptionally large pieces that survive the heat and hit the ground are called meteorites, and often vary in composition, providing surprising insight about space to scientists.

METERORITES

There are three main types of meteorites: stony meteorites, iron meteorites, and stony-iron meteorites. Stony meteorites appear similar to Earth rocks and are hard to find, yet they are the most common type, comprising 94% of all meteorites. When cut open, most of these meteorites reveal small pockets of silicate minerals,

iron-nickel alloys, and sulfides known as chondrules. Iron meteorites are much rarer, making up only 5.7% of all meteorites and consisting mostly of iron-nickel alloys. Stony-iron meteorites are the rarest type, comprising only 1.5% of all meteorites, and are made up of a mix of metals and silicate minerals. Although highly unlikely, we might find some meteorites from the Eta Aquariids scattered around the world. If we were to find them, they would be considered stony meteorites with chondrules.

Meteor showers are truly wonderful, and although the view is best from the Southern Hemisphere, those of us in California will still be able to see some meteors, uniting the world through the marvelous wonders of nature and space.

STAFF MEMBERS: STAFF

Editors-in-Chief: Christopher Chen, Julee Jiang and Olivia Ma

Editors: Esha Bansiya, Vera Lin, Sheil Mody, Sachit Parekh, Alicia Peng, Anjali Prabhu, Alan Xiao, and Vincent Yang

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: Katherine He, Julee Jiang, and Olivia Ma

Thank you for reading the ninth 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.

Comets, icy bodies that orbit the

Photos by David Kingham, John Sullivan, NASA, Diana Robinson

eta aquariids meteor shower seen by nasa

eta aquariids meteor shower spotted at babcok wildlife refuge