Vol. IV, No. 2

N E W S ( PAG E 2 ) : H I S PA N I C H E R I TAG E M O N T H

F E AT U R E ( PAG E 3 ) : C E N T E R S P R E A D BIFU’S BIOTOPE ( PAG E 5 ) : CLUB SPIRIT WEEK

O P I N I O N ( PAG E 8): DRINK MENU FOR BIFU

S P O RT S ( PAG E 8 ) : V O L L E Y B A L L’ S POPULARITY

Photos by Katherine He, Emily Tuitje, and Ailsa Wu

THE YELLOW PAGES VOL . 4, NO. 2

B A SI S I n d e pend ent Fr em o nt U pper — 39706 M issio n Bl v d , Fr emont, CA 94539

OCTOBER 31, 2024

BACKPACKS AND BUCKETS

By Thanisha Thambidurai and Sarah Wu News Editor and Opinion Editor

You’re in the middle of class. You stand up from your seat, leisurely making your way to the back of the class to get a tissue, when you look down and see a bright vibrant red blotch of color. It is a backpack, sitting on top of a black bucket.

Recently, most BIFU students have received a visit from Ms. Apra, BIFU’s Head of Operations, during at least one of their classes to discuss the importance of the mysterious red backpacks, which can be found in the back of every classroom. Black buckets, which accompany the red backpacks, have also appeared in classrooms, a mysterious sight that leaves students wondering about their contents. Noticing the teachers taking the red backpacks during fire drills, we were prompted to investigate and identify these items’ purpose.

To do this, we spoke with Ms. Apra about their backstory, the new safety measures being taken this year, and how she hopes the backpacks and buckets will be utilized during an emergency.

“ We always had the backpacks, but this year, we have made the operation a bit more sophisticated with regards to emergency procedures,” said Ms. Apra.

In the past, emergency first aid supplies were placed in a clear container in the back of the class. Students were

not allowed to use these first aid supplies for minor injuries, such as paper cuts. Many of the first aid supplies from the containers have been transferred into the backpacks. Although these backpacks have always existed, faculty have chosen to bring more attention to these items by directly addressing the classes about this safety measure to make students more aware of their surroundings and the efforts taken to maintain their safety. The clear first aid containers, albeit with noticeably fewer supplies, are still in the back of classrooms.

Public schools are required by the California Department of Education to develop and maintain safety plans.

Private schools are encouraged but not required to have similar safety plans.

The backpacks and buckets are a concrete improvement to the school’s emergency plans. These emergency supplies would be valuable in keeping students safe during potential evacuations, lockdowns, or shelter-in-place.

Ms. Apra details that coordination with other schools allowed for a sound plan when assembling emergency kits.

The backpacks and buckets contain various first aid, emergency, and information supplies. The backpacks include a first-aid kit, a flashlight, full rosters with each child’s contact information, and snacks such as bars. Garbage bags and gloves are included in the buckets.

The backpacks are meant for evacuation events, such as fires, and the buckets are designed for lockdown or shelter-in-place emergencies. “ We worked with different schools as well, or within our network, to de-

red backpack and black bucket in room 130

termine what supplies are required in these kinds of situations, and we put together these kits,” said Ms. Apra.

Additional safety procedures have been created for all window-facing classrooms and Room 130, the outside room. BIF teachers and staff have been trained to use all the supplies and on certain life-saving procedures, including CPR and First Aid training, aligning with California law where teachers are required to have Infant, Child, and Adult CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and First Aid certifications.

Through discussions and personal visits during class, students are more aware of their surroundings and prone to avidly participate in their safety.

Ms. Apra shares that students have informed her if anything is amiss with the backpacks.

“We left one of the empty buckets that we didn’t use in the classrooms by accident, and it was open. The next day, five different students found me to tell me, ‘Ms. Apra, guess what? That’s open.’ It was so heartwarming for me to see students taking such an active role in our safety,” said Ms. Apra.

The red backpacks and black buckets did not go unnoticed by other students, either. When interviewed, students shared their feelings about the new safety measures, ranging from appreciation to relief that such measures have been implemented.

“I appreciate the school, and it makes me feel safer,” said Tara Arun (10).

Beyond the safety of the students,

madame laquidara walking out with the red backpack for a fire drill

these improvements show that the school is making an effort to be prepared for potential emergencies and becoming firmer in enforcing safety rules, such as students not touching the red backpacks. Remaining upfront about the rules informs students of the danger of any emergency and builds a school environment where safety is taken seriously.

Schools are expected to have ample first aid and safety preparation.

Students have reported seeing similar versions of these backpacks at their other schools. When one is accustomed to seeing something, they believe it to be standard. In this case, students do not find the necessary backpacks surprising after seeing them at previous schools and, therefore, do not have a strong reaction to them.

“Most schools have [the backpacks].

My elementary school had it, and my middle school had it,” said Hansini Moka (10).

The red backpacks and black buckets are hardly visible changes but are necessary for the well-being of the students. Despite not greatly affecting students’ daily lives, the backpacks and buckets remind students to be prepared for any emergencies.

“I didn’t notice them before, and I don’t think we will really need (to use) it,” said Arun, “but it’s good that we have them because it is the bare minimum.”

Photos by Thanisha Thambidurai and Sarah Wu

2 NEWS

OCTOBER 31, 2024

CELEBRATING CULTURE: HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

By Aaron Ely Staff Writer

Each year, from September 15th to October 15th, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This month-long celebration not only recognizes the influence that Hispanic communities have had on the nation’s identity but also provides an opportunity to reflect on the diverse cultures and vibrant traditions that make up this ever-growing population. From art and music to science and politics, Hispanic Americans have had a large impact on the US, which is why we take this time to honor it. In order to honor Hispanic heritage though, one must first answer the question, what does being Hispanic mean?

Someone who is hispanic or has hispanic heritage is someone who is either from a spanish speaking country, or their family originates from a spanish speaking country. In so many words, if one is from a “Spanish” family then they are Hispanic. Sometimes though, people will inadvertently call Hispanic people Latinx, and while Latinx and Hispanic share some similarities, they are not the same thing. Latinx refers to someone who originates from a Latin American country also known as a Central American country. Hispanic means from a Spanish speaking country, and not all Spanish speaking countries are Latin American countries, ergo not all Hispanic people are Latinx. This is also not necessarily to say that all Latinx people are hispanic as there are some countries in Latin America that are not Spanish speaking countries, Brazil, Suriname, and Guyana to name a few. These differences are very useful to keep in mind especially when talking to someone about their background.

In order to honor the Hispanic community, it is important to actually know some aspects of what makes the Hispan-

ic Community unique, and more importantly what makes it beautiful. Some of our very own Basis teachers and staff were interviewed to get the scoop on the inner workings of the Hispanic Community. The first thing that all communities have in common are the core values that hold the community together.

There were many different values that each of our teachers and staff listed, but one that was ultimately in common was that the Hispanic community valued family. The Hispanic Community is like a large extensive family not by blood but by bonds, one that spans the entire world, and that makes everyone in the Hispanic Community warm and welcoming of one another no matter the location of origin.

“On Dia de Los Muertos, my wife and I go down to Fruitvale where they have an authentic celebration even with the altares (Altars),”said Mr. Sanders.

Altars are usually made to honor different aspects of those who died, usual-

ly relatives within a family. With all of these different aspects of Hispanic culture though, how many people actually celebrate the culture?

When asked, most students in the school did not know that Hispanic Heritage Month was currently ongoing, and most of those who did know admitted that they simply saw the bulletin board in the hallways. Black history month for example is quite well known by many as the month of February, yet the Hispanic culture is also a community, with its own celebratory month. Some teachers and staff who were interviewed suggested some methods on ways to raise awareness, including having school or class wide talks, going deeper into culture in history classes outside of curriculum, or having some activities during lunch on Hispanic Holidays.

Hopefully through this article, students can get a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Hispanic Community, just like they do for their own communities that they live within.

“For example, a Spanish person could easily get along with a Venezuelan like family,” said Mr. Albert.

Another very prominent aspect of any culture are the holidays. A very well known holiday is Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead, but that is already quite well known by most people. One lesser known holiday to someone not versed in the Hispanic Community is Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos, the Day of the Three Kings, which is on January 6th.

Dia de Los tres Reyes Magos celebrates the three wise kings who give gifts to Jesus on the day of his birth.

“La Rosca de Reyes, I know that was one that we always looked forward to throughout the year,” said Ms. Liz. the day of the dead parade in mexico city

Here, Ms. Liz is referring to an essential

THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE MILTON

By Brandon Yu

Photo by Eve Orea/Shutterstock

AN INTERVIEW WITH MS. ABODOUMA

By Sachit Parekh

Staff Writer

On October 9, 2023, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Sarasota, Florida, as a category three major hurricane. Since then, at least 35 people have died, and damages are estimated to have surpassed $50 billion. Milton left many Floridians without a home, and more than a million households were left without power.

Hurricane Milton emerged from a tropical wave in the southern Gulf of Mexico, eventually picking up strength as it rapidly intensified into a violent category five storm with maximum winds of 180 miles per hour, enough to uproot large trees, cause flash flooding, and extensive mudslides. Milton skirted the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula while maintaining winds of at least 150 miles per hour, causing moderate damage and the death of three people.

As the hurricane approached Florida, it weakened into a category three storm just before making landfall near Sarasota. Even as a category three hurricane, Milton caused catastrophic damage in and around Tampa, Sarasota, and Fort Myers. Over 10 feet of storm surge flooding was observed at some locations along the Florida coast. The hurricane left an astonishing 10 to 18 inches of rain along its path through Florida.

Currently, cleaning up debris and redistributing fuel are crucial priorities in Florida. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that efforts are ongoing to assist impacted residents and provide resources to hard-hit areas across the state. Local first responders used small vessels to rescue countless civilians who were trapped in their homes by the flooding caused by Milton. Dozens of local school districts

part of Day of the Three Kings in which families make a circular sweet bread adorned with various designs that symbolize a wreath of the three kings. In Hispanic culture, this holiday is even more widely celebrated than Christmas which just shows the magnitude and weight of this celebration. This is, of course, not to beat out Dia de Los Muertos which is an equally if not more prominently celebrated holiday. Dia de Los Muertos honors those who have passed by having a day to celebrate their life that they lived.

News & Sports Editor

closed in preparation for the storm, and many have already re-opened.

Many Floridians in and around Sarasota are still left without a shelter as a direct result of extensive damage.

DeSantis also stated that the state is working to address the need for fuel to power vehicles and generators in heavily impacted areas, and multiple free fuel distribution centers have been established in severely impacted areas. The World Health Organization has provided food, blankets, supplies, and medical teams to provide assistance to the victims of Hurricane Milton. Response efforts by both the federal government and state government continue to serve the residents of the areas impacted

by Milton. As of October 23, power has been almost completely restored across the state.

As forecasting technology continues to advance, we can better prepare for storms and disasters ahead of time. This is important because we can save thousands of lives by letting them know of an upcoming storm, like Milton, so that individuals have enough time to prepare and evacuate before it’s too late.

tampa, florida during hurricane milton

Photo by AP Photo/Julio Cortez

You may see Ms. Abodouma sitting in her office, talking to a teacher, a student, or a parent, at any given time of the day. Or you may not even see her in her office at all — you could find her working with faculty members on physical changes to the campus or helping out on lunch duty.

Now the Head of School, Principal Abodouma is always working to delicately balance the needs of students, parents, and teachers. Principal Abodouma has worked at BASIS for many years, initially starting off as a mathematics and economics teacher and rising up the ranks to Head of School.

Since becoming Head of School, Principal Abodouma has enacted new changes to the BASIS community, such as the new scheduling system.

She has reinforced neglected policies, such as the device policy.

The principal also has some new ideas that she hopes to implement soon, such as offering more AP classes to the seniors or adding more capstones to cover all the basic sciences. She is also hoping to add more academic field trips for the middle schoolers.

The way Principal Abodouma and her administrative team at BASIS implement ideas is similar to that of the engineering design process — idea, concept, piloting, refinement, testing, refinement, and implementation. This comprehensive approach to problems ensures that any changes to school operations are not short-sighted.

Many teachers have left BASIS over the past few years, and Principal Abodouma acknowledges this as a problem. She is assuming the responsibility of leading the interviews of teacher candidates, using a different

interviewing style.

“Right from the hiring process, I ensure that I am hiring for the long haul, for the long term,” said Principal Abodouma. “ When I make the decision… I think about the longevity of [the] relationship.”

In addition to this hiring process, she aims to provide the best support possible for current teachers at BASIS. “My number one priority will always be the benefit and the betterment of the experience for our students, and therefore for our teachers. They’re directly linked in my head,” she said.

Principal Abodouma strongly encourages students to share their concerns.

“I would like to tell all students and everyone actually that I work with that unless you bring it to my attention nothing really is going to happen,” she said. “I’m very open to misgivings, weaknesses, and I take them all, and I try to find solutions within the parameters that I have in my control.”

VOL . 4, NO. 2

FEATURE

BIFU SCHOOL SPIRIT: DOOMED, OR POTENTIAL TO GROW?

By Thanisha Thambidurai News Editor

poll by thanisha thambidurai

Randomly picking a BASIS Independent Fremont Upper student openly proud of this school is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. It’s even rarer to find them praising BIFU outside of school, especially with their friends from other schools. What is more common is students consistently complaining about the school, with grumbles about issues ranging from the relatively small building to the lack of sports teams. Regardless of the policy changes or infrastructure expansions, one thing has been clear over the years: most BIFU students consistently have low school spirit, and this does not seem to be changing anytime soon.

School spirit is generally defined as a student, teacher, or parent’s loyalty and pride for their school. Students with

school spirit tend to wear school merchandise, attend sports events, and partake in school dances and spirit weeks.

At BIFU, school dances are the winter formal, spring fling, homecoming, and prom. Spirit week in most schools leads up to the homecoming football game and dance.

Most importantly, students with school spirit are generally proud of their school on and off campus and often reflect on their school years fondly. In a survey taken by a sample group of 49 BIFU students, 59.1% of student responses state that they never or rarely have school spirit for BIFU. 58.2% of the same 49 students responded that they usually or occasionally find themselves negatively comparing BIFU to other schools.

Based on these statistics and student interviews, it can be concluded that many

She also said improved promotion of in-school activities would increase students’ involvement in the school. If staff members are willing to let loose and relax in front of students, students would be willing to do the same in front of staff members. This change would build a sense of familiarity between students and staff, allowing for a happier school environment.

Regardless of the measures taken or not taken at BIFU, the envy of life or school spirit at other schools is inevitable. Whether it be because of BIFU’s rigorous curriculum or lack of school-wide activities, students are prone to wish for more memorable high school experiences. While the overall school spirit at BIFU always has the potential to improve, it’s impossible to leave students completely satisfied with their school lives.

“I feel like people in other schools just seem to enjoy their school lives a lot more,” said Ma. “I kind of wish that was me.”

tia ghoshal, day three of spirit week

Photos by Thanisha Thambidurai

BIOTOPE CLUB BRINGS LIFE TO BIFU

By Katherine He and Ailsa Wu Editor-In-Chief and Feature Editor

Stationed in the art classroom of the BASIS Independent Fremont Upper campus, a developing naturalistic ecosystem, or biotope, thrives as passionate high school students learn about the wonders of the aquatic world. The biotope belongs to the BIFU Biotope Club, which was established in 2022 by BIFU junior Alex Liu. Liu started this club as an endeavor to spread his passion for fish keeping to his peers, as well as to educate our school community about the importance of conserving the natural world.

Meeting weekly on Fridays, Biotope Club President Liu and Vice President Emily Tuitje (11) give presentations to educate members on the basics of fish-keeping, and provide them with hands-on experience in the building of the fish-tank biotope. Club members who have kept their own fish in the past have cited that their fish-keeping knowledge and skills have greatly improved since joining the club.

“I learned how to properly set up a tank because I had no clue how beforehand,”

students at this school are generally not proud of the school.

“I feel like people here have no school spirit at all,” said Emma Ma (9). “I personally don’t have any spirit either.”

Ma expressed that her school spirit is low, and she said she believes her peers feel similarly. Ma also added that she doubts she would feel school spirit regardless of what school she was at.

However, not all students feel the same way, as shared by Diya Singh (7).

She said she does not feel overly proud of BIFU, nor does she express overtly anti-BIFU sentiments.

“I guess so,” said Singh in response to whether she feels spirited about the school.

On another note, Madame Laquidara, the French teacher, states that she feels that students are either very spirited or not at all at BIFU, with few students in between. Teaching 7th to 11th grade, she is exposed to a wide range of students, allowing her to observe different students’ feelings about the school.

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said Hailey Schmerge (9). “But now I know, and I also know where to go to look up more things about fish if I’m interested.”

Because the year is still beginning, the Biotope Club is starting on their first tank of many, currently in the set-up phase, where they are preparing their tank to create a hospitable environment for the fish.

“My favorite part would probably be the scaping of the tank, like putting all the sticks in and making the slopes of the sand,” said Nicole Lin (10), a dedicated member of the Biotope Club.

Soon, when the club obtains the fish that will populate the tank, the members will advance beyond the construction stage and challenge themselves with the multitude of tasks necessary to maintain their biotope.

“Once our fish come, it’ll be teaching [the members] how to acclimate fish,” said Liu. “ Then once everything gets established it’ll be more independent because they’ll know how to feed the fish and clean the tank.”

Besides building the tank, the Biotope Club has extended its influence to off-campus activities, including the first ever club-hosted field trip to the California Academy of Sciences that was attended by over 40 students, as well as many volunteer opportunities that align with the club’s nature conservation goals, including trash clean-up events that have gathered 100 pounds of trash from community parks.

The Biotope Club has ambitious aspirations for the future. In addition to setting up more tanks housing a diverse collection of aquatic life, club president Liu hopes to host more field trips for the school and expand the club’s community service work. They also have several up-and-coming projects that they plan to execute in the coming year, includ-

ing a native plant project, in which the club intends to help people source more sustainable native Californian plants to plant in their gardens, as well as several engineering projects such as adding an automatic water top-off to their tanks and upcycling fans into wind turbines to generate sustainable energy for tank appliances.

The Biotope Club has had an incredibly positive influence on its members and community. As the first club in BIFU history to raise live animals on campus, they’re teaching students about the importance of preserving nature and the fragile beauty of marine life.

Biotope Club president Liu imparts an inspiring message that encompasses the goals of his club: “Respect nature and don’t litter.”

liu and tuitje working during a volunteer event, mulching biotope club recreation of morichal largo river of the orinoco river basin in venezuela

Photos by Biotope Club

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OCTOBER 31, 2024

FEATURE

BIFU STUDENTS’ OPINIONS ON CHOCOLATE & CANDY

By Hemangi Ghimire Staff Writer

photo by hemangi ghimire

Halloween is just around the corner, meaning kids are running in their costumes from one house to another while they scream “ Trick-or-treat” and hold up their baskets for delicious chocolates and candies. The Halloween spirit has already reached the students here at BASIS Independent Fremont Upper School as they discuss their costumes, make plans with their friends to go trick-or-treating, and talk about all the chocolate and candy they are going to eat. Not everyone seems to agree on which chocolate or candy is the best and which types are

better though.

To have an understanding of these opinions, the Yellow Pages conducted a survey among students. Overall, BIFU students prefer chocolate between the two options. However, the percentages are pretty close as many students have said that they typically prefer candy compared to chocolate.

“Candy is better because it has more flavor and chocolate just melts too easily and quickly,” said student Kiana Zhang (9), “Also, chocolate is more sweet in a different type of way which I just like less

SCOUTS OF BIFU

The BSA only accepted boys until 2019, when they changed their name to Scouts BSA and started allowing girls aged 1117.

“Scouting is a unique experience where you learn a lot of survival skills,” said Rishi Gupta (11) from Troop 152. “You challenge yourself to experience new environments that you’re not usually accustomed to [and] you learn how to bond with people close to you.”

BSA’s mission (and the Scout motto) is to help people “be prepared,” instilling the values of the Scout oath and law into young Scouts and helping them develop character and rationality. There are currently 5 core programs in Scouting.

Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea

By Natalie Luo Staff Writer

Scouts dressed in crisp uniforms stand in neat lines, reciting the pledge of allegiance. These students are part of the youth organization Boy Scouts of America, or Scouting America. Scouting was originally started in the United Kingdom, by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907.

Thereon after, various Scout divisions quickly developed and the Scouting movement spread rapidly. In 1910, William Boyce brought Scouting to the US after a kind Boy Scout in London guided him when he was lost.

compared to candy.”

When comparing the different types of chocolate, milk chocolate is strongly preferred. Some students do prefer dark chocolate, while white chocolate typically seems quite unpopular.

“Milk chocolate is my favorite because it is a balance between white chocolate and dark chocolate and it’s common,” said student Mira Chitor (7), “ White chocolate is just too overpowered and dark chocolate is too bland.”

The students of BIFU also have many opinions on their favorite types of candy.

Jelly candies and gummies are very popular and the clear favorite.

“I like gummies a lot because of the texture as they are fun to chew,” said student Seleema Atta-Hosni (6), “A lot of gummies are also sour such as Sour Patch and I like sour candies.”

Whether students prefer to chew and immediately swallow or have their chocolate/candy dissolve in their mouth is another question with much contention.

Both sides have their fair share of reasons.

“I prefer my candy dissolving in my mouth, because the flavor stays longer,” said Atta-Hosni.

Students who prefer to chew and immediately swallow their chocolate/candy also have their reasons though.

“Definitely chew and swallow because when you dissolve candy, it takes a while and makes me impatient,” said Zhang,

“ Then, I want to bite into it and as a result, it makes my teeth hurt.”

Another type of candy that many students enjoy is lollipops. However, students also appear to have many reasons as to why they dislike them.

“I don’t like lollipops as they are too crumbly and the stick is all that’s left to chew at the end,” said Chitor, “ The process isn’t clean and the flavors are generally gross, too.”

Another aspect of some lollipops is the gum in the center of them. Most students are not a fan though, as they prefer to keep their lollipops and gum separate.

“I don’t like gum in my lollipops as I might accidentally swallow the gum,” said Zhang, “I would like to cleanly eat the lollipop off the stick and not have to chew gum at the end.”

Regarding the most popular chocolates and candies, M&Ms are in first place for chocolate, with second place going to KitKats which are closely behind. On the other hand, the most favorite candy, overwhelmingly, appears to be Sour Patch.

Mostly, students at BIFU enjoy eating both chocolates and candies, especially around the time of Halloween.

“Most people like chocolate and candy a lot probably because of the taste and it’s common for trick-or-treating on Halloween day,” said Zhang, “It’s like a reward as well and lets you know that you have reached the holidays.”

troop 2468 at the fall-in location before district camporee 2024

troop 2468 in the 2024 ilst course

NEW YEAR, NEW SIXTH GRADERS

By Aarna Kamath and Pooja Kanthhala A&E Editor & News Editor

The new school year for returning BASIS Independent Fremont Upper Yellowjackets means seeing familiar classrooms, bulletin boards, and faces. However, for the new sixth graders, the entire BIFU campus is foreign. Every school year, a new sixth grade class joins their older peers in a new school environment and community, both of which are teeming with opportunities and new experiences.

This transition from the Lower campus to the Upper campus means the new sixth graders have to become accustomed to new locker combinations and busy hallways, a wider range of tougher classes, and a plethora of extracurricular activities.

The transition to the Upper school is

a very exciting one. The new campus not only provides a new environment, but also new teachers, peers, and after school opportunities.

Many have enjoyed the change, with a sixth grader who wished to remain anonymous saying, “I really like the variety of clubs here, like the World Affairs Club. I really like how I get to learn new things here as well. I also really like the variety of new classes I have here as well.”

The Upper campus has a wider selection of classes the new sixth graders can choose to take; there are more classes available for elective opportunities, such as band and drama. Compared to the Lower campus, the sixth graders’ new school campus also has a wider catalog of more intellectually stimulating after school clubs and activities to participate in. Many students have joined various clubs and afterschool activities ranging from math clubs to the middle school basketball team. In addition, when students were asked about what they were looking forward to, many mentioned

Scouts, and Exploring. Cub Scouts is for children aged 5-10, focusing on teamwork and learning.

Scouts BSA is the program most associated with Scouting, which helps teenagers between 11-17 learn outdoor skills and leadership. Scouts complete requirements and merit badges to advance through seven ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Venturing and Sea Scouting is for people aged 14-20, focused on high-adventure activities and leadership. Finally, Exploring helps youth explore possible career paths.

BSA is structured around local councils that carry out BSA programs in one area.

A Scouts BSA unit is a Troop. Each Troop is segmented into Patrols and is organized carefully to comprise an efficient team. Various roles include the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, and Quartermaster, to name a few. Scouts typically arrange regular Troop meet-

ings, camping outings, service projects, and other special events. “ The overall structure of the entire Boy Scouts is really complicated, but it works out the way it’s supposed to,” said Melody Zhang (9) from Troop 2468.

Community service projects are also a big part of Scouting, empowering Scouts to fulfill their civic duties and meet different people from around the world through various events. In this way, Scouts create strong bonds and closeknit friendships.

In all, Scouting challenges young people to learn important life skills such as leadership, responsibility, and morality.

“I [would] definitely [recommend Scouting] because you make a lot of good friends,” said Neha Nagpal (11) from Troop 2220. “ There’s a lot of good memories involved too, and you really get some experiences that you never would otherwise.”

the growing community and the upcoming term project trips which were not as widely available in the Lower campus.

Even though the transition new sixth graders make from the Lower campus to the Upper campus brings forth many positive impacts, some sixth graders have voiced their concerns on being confronted with the new environment.

When Gail Tian (6), who previously attended the Lower campus, was asked about her experience so far in the Upper campus, she mentioned feeling intimidated by the number of older students.

The Upper campus is home to middle schoolers and high schoolers – seven grades in total– while the Lower campus is only home to five grades. Another problem many sixth graders have run into is the congestion in the hallways. “ The hallways can get really crowded.

Sometimes, I would just be walking in the hallways and I would just get pushed into the lockers as I’m walking to class,” said Tian.

Congestion in hallways was not an issue

in the Lower campus, making the adjustment to hallways in the Upper campus difficult.

While the transition to Upper campus affects the new sixth grade students more directly, the parents of these sixth graders have also experienced and seen many changes. These parents have a lot to become accustomed to, from their children’s increased workload to the depth of conversation they are able to have with their kids. Parents notice how their students speak with more knowledge and seem more invested in the world around them.

“Since coming to BASIS Upper, [my childrens’] intellectual arguments have been elevated. Sometimes, in the car rides, we talk about current events or sometimes we talk about science,” said Dr. Araci, proud parent of two BIFU sixth graders and beloved high school chemistry teacher. “ The techniques they are using, such as creative writing, have also improved. They definitely have a bigger perspective of the world.”

Photos by Natalie Luo

VOL . 4, NO. 2

NEWS

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FROM PAJAMA DAY TO CLASS COLORS - 2024 SPIRIT WEEK RECAP

By Aarna Kamath, Pooja Kanthala, Selena Peng A&E Editor and News Editor and Feature Editor

TOURIST DAY The week started off strong with Tourist Day. Students showed up in Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses, and many added creative personal touches to their outfits.

“I wore a skirt and I was going for a beach outfit vibe,” said Hansini Moka (10). “I also put some clips in my hair to add on to the theme and wore a cute tank top. I saw a lot of people taking pictures with the tourist outfits. I love the school spirit.”

BIFU students were also given leis to match their outfits and were seen taking pictures and making memories throughout the day, while showing their school spirit.

PAJAMA DAY Spirit week participation peaked on Pajama Day as students and teachers showed up to school in their most comfortable clothes.

“I wore my comfiest pj pants – they were the classic red and black flannel ones,” said Diya Dipak (11) enthusiastically. “I think overall, my grade dressed up a lot for spirit week and this day in general, which is very exciting and fun to see.”

While most students donned the classic flannel pajama pants and shirt combination, a few teachers and students went a step further, wearing onesies and bringing their favorite stuffed animals to enjoy the day with them. Students were also spotted in sleeping masks provided by the BIFU student panel.

GENERATION DAY Day three of Spirit Week encouraged extra creativity from students and teachers, as each group was assigned a different theme – Middle Schoolers as infants, Freshmen as babies, Sophomores as toddlers, Juniors as adults, Seniors as senior citizens, and teachers as teenagers. Each person was spotted in a unique look that reflected their theme.

“My mom and I had matching jumpsuits when I was a baby and I decided to wear them,” said Kai Marwaha (9). “I put my hair in pigtails because I thought they were cute and seemed very baby-like.”

Upperclassmen also successfully executed their interpretation of the theme. Juniors carried briefcases and wore suits and ties, while Seniors showed up in wigs, bonnets, rollers, canes, and large sweaters. However, it was the teachers that pulled through, wearing ripped jeans and oversized hoodies and emulating their students.

CHARACTER DAY Day four of Spirit week was one meant for the big screen. This day had students dress up as characters from their class movie. The freshmen were dressed up as characters from Peter Pan, the sophomores as characters from Inside Out, juniors as characters from The Incredibles, and seniors as characters from Monsters Inc. Each grade was able to recreate their movie characters to exact details – such as the seniors’ recreating Boo’s cute outfit from Monsters Inc. “I thought the [Boo] costume was cute. Olivia [Ma] (12) and I bought the same leggings and shirt and we did our same in the same style,” said Diya Rahul (12). “It was really fun to see how the costume came together in the end.”

Throughout the day, BIFU students took silly photos to commemorate the colorful and spirited theme.

SPIRIT DAY

The fifth and final day of Spirit week was all about showcasing school pride, with students showing up in their assigned grade colors.

The main event was the long-awaited pep rally, effectively gearing up excitement for the 2024 homecoming dance. It started off strong with the annual senior dance to popular hit songs TikTok by Kesha and Shut Up and Dance by WALK THE MOON. After the senior dance, festivities continued with a school wide musical chairs event that had everyone fired up. Each grade was asked to send in two representatives to compete for the title of the musical chairs winner. After countless rounds of elimination, a winner was finally chosen – Vishwak Kanthala (7).

“It feels good to win, especially since I had my whole grade cheering me on. I’m looking forward to the next spirit week,” said Kanthala.

As the rally concluded, students ramped up their pep for the homecoming dance later on in the evening.

HOMECOMING DANCE After a joyous week filled with celebration and school spirit, the school hosted its annual Homecoming Dance on Friday night, where the high schoolers partied and pranced around to pop music and rap songs. The rather muted color palette of the gym was transformed into an underwater dream inspired by this year’s theme: “Under the Sea.” In alignment with the theme, the gym was redecorated with enchanting lights, lit-up sea creatures, as well as marine-inspired projections onto the ceiling. Additionally, the hanging jellyfish placed around the room brought the ocean scene to life, completely transporting students to an underwater fantasy.

Students also added their twists to the night as they dressed up in creative outfits to embrace the theme. From mermaid dresses to squid costumes, everyone was able to put their own spin on the theme. A popular destination was the photo booth, where students put on cute props and posed with their friends, capturing memories that will last forever.

“Hoco was really fun, I found the high energy and good vibes really enjoyable,” said Alex Wu (10). “There were a lot of people that showed up, so that was nice.”

Photos by BIFU Staff & Students

6 OPINION

OCTOBER 31, 2024

WHY A DRINK MENU SHOULD BE AVAILABLE DURING LUNCH

By Emma Ma

A&E and Sports Editor

Three months into the school year, students have had plenty of time to reflect on the new lunch system— so, how ’s it holding up?. Returning students of Basis Independent Fremont Upper (BIFU) are familiar with MyGreenLunch, the school lunch provider contracted for the previous years.

This school year, BIFU decided to switch to a different catering service, My Hot Lunchbox. The new system entails having five different restaurants provide food, one for each day of the week—one day features Dominos, while another features Panera Bread.

There have definitely been a few bumps along the road, with the major issue being the switch to a different restaurant for one of the days due to an issue with insufficient portion sizes of the food. However, things seem to be going more smoothly now, as evidenced by the large number of students lining up for the school lunch each day.

Although the new menu choices are quite tasty, I feel that something vital is missing. The daily menu is composed of savory main dishes, fun sides, and sweet desserts, but there are no drink options. This is a missed opportunity because drinks can promote hydration, add nutritional value to meals, and boost students’ morale.

Some students may forget to drink water throughout the day, or leave

their water bottle at home accidentally. Utilizing water fountains is definitely an option, but the water can sometimes have an odd taste. Other students may simply become too caught up in school work to remember to drink water, which is obviously not very healthy. Offering drink options during lunch would combat these problems by both reminding students to stay hydrated and sparing them from needing to use a water fountain.

Introducing a drink menu would also provide students with appetizing beverages that are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients.

For instance, My Hot Lunchbox could work with local businesses to offer drinks like fruit and vegetable smoothies that are fresh, appealing, and rich in vitamins. While the menu always has healthy options like salads, it would be nice to have something nutritious to complement meals like pizza or chicken tenders.

Lastly, having something rejuvenating to sip on can really brighten a student’s day, especially if they just took a test. Whether it’s a tough exam or an easy one, a scrumptious drink can feel like a reward after a period of stress.

I’d love the option to down a cup of boba whenever the pressure of school becomes too much—it would automatically make my whole day better.

I want a drink menu to be added not only because of how delicious the options may taste, but also because they

examples of drink options for a potential menu

offer a moment of peace and enjoyment amidst the exhaustion school brings.

Lunch is something all students look forward to daily, and having beverage options would make what’s already

amazing even better. From promoting hydration and providing nutrients to putting smiles on people’s faces, a drink menu would do it all.

Photo by Emma Ma

AI REVOLUTION IGNITES EXCITEMENT AND FEAR FOR THE FUTURE

By Nick Lin

able in a couple of years. Despite Musk claiming that this vehicle will be 20% safer than human-driven cars, I don’t believe that. I am most certainly not going to purchase one of these the moment they come out. I would at least wait a couple of months to see if the number of accidents in that thing is high.

Then, I would make my final decision.

This car also includes AI to detect everything that is happening around it and make decisions accordingly. If this car is a success, this would mark a significant advancement in the development of driverless cars, and it would demonstrate the sophistication of modern AI systems. However, there is still a long time from now until its release.

Staff Writer

As artificial intelligence (AI) advances, more and more technology becomes available to us, from advanced chatbots to AI assistants that can help us with virtually anything.

AI is improving our lives by a wide margin, giving us access to everything from driverless cars to glasses that make you feel like Iron Man. It all sounds great, but the truth is AI is progressing too fast. Every day, it gets closer to replacing us in numerous fields, potentially threatening the jobs of 60% of all occupations.

Recent technological advancements are reshaping our daily lives, with rapid developments driving shifts we may soon witness across society.

AUGUMENTED REALITY: APPLE AND META This February, the long-awaited Apple Vision Pro was released. Everyone had high hopes for these glasses due to their numerous functions, which allowed the user to multitask more efficiently than ever before.

However, the hefty price tag kept me and other people from buying this piece of advanced technology, and its weight, which came in at a whopping 650 grams. Although other people said its cool functions made up for it, I didn’t believe so. At the time, this concept was rather new, meaning the technology behind it was sure to be considered rudimentary compared to other headsets that would likely come in later years, and I was proven correct.

Merely half a year after the Apple Vision Pro was released, Meta announced a new pair of AR glasses previously unknown to most people. The announcement of the Orion glasses instantly raised an uproar in the tech community. These glasses did everything the Apple Vision Pro could do, but better. It only weighed 100 grams, which is 6 times less than the weight of the Vision Pro. For reference, the average weight of a pair of sunglasses is around 40 grams. Additionally, the Orion glasses only cost $700, in com-

IN CONCLUSION meta ceo mark zuckerberg wears a meta orion set; source: david paul morris/getty images

parison to the $3500 price tag of the Vision Pro when it was first released.

Despite these glasses revolutionizing the way we look at AR glasses, both are powered by AI, allowing all of their exciting functions to be performed. It is all fun and games until one considers the potential risks of AI. I believe that AI development should not be stopped, but instead, it should be controlled. If it goes unchecked, it won’t be long before people with malicious intent get their hands on some of this technology, and take advantage of it. That would be dangerous.

la’s new astounding announcement.

Tesla is developing a driverless car dubbed the “Cybercab”, that will be completely autonomous. Musk believes that these cars will be able to be completely self-driven on California and Texas roads by 2025. Mass production will start in 2026 and they estimate that this technology will be available by 2027 for under $30,000.

That is a very low price tag for such an advanced vehicle, but it will be avail-

Although the speed AI is developing is impressive, and quite frankly, scary, I still have a positive outlook on the future. If AI takes all of our jobs, then we would form a Utopian society, where everyone provides for each other, there are no leaders, and everyone has equal access to resources. I envision a society where we become one with AI and live in a perfect world with no wars, no struggle, and no misery. However, that is way off in the future, so in the meantime, let us put all our worries aside and use AI to its fullest potential.

ON THE ROAD: TESLA The use of AI is not only limited to allowing people to create cool gadgets but is also a crucial part of making roads safer. With multiple companies attempting to create cars that can drive on the streets between destinations without a human operator, safety has become a major priority. Driverless cars have been a thing since the 1980s, but it is only in the 21st century that they have been put to personal use.

Up until now, there has not been a single commercially available car that is fully autonomous under any circumstance, but all that changed with Tes-

tesla ceo elon musk unveiled the cybercab at the “we, robot” event, where he revealed new ai products, such as the optimus bot; source: carexpert

VOL . 4, NO. 2

A RT S & E N T E RTA I N M E N T

7

BIFU FASHION: A LOOKBOOK

By Julee Jiang and Olivia Ma

Thrifted from a local shop in Dublin

Editors-In-Chief Hollister

Jabbawockeez

Princess Polly Revolution Dance

H&M

Levi’s New Balance

Dolce Vita

A self-described “downtown girl,” Ellery Liu (9) rocks her look with a laid-back, urban edge.

Think casual yet stylish — a mix of cropped tops, oversized jackets, classic jeans, and sneakers that are as functional as they are fashionable.

Though she experiments with varying styles pretty often, one item is central to all her clothing choices: jeans.

“I like jeans,” said Liu. “I feel like jeans look good with everything, and it’s also easy to find good color combinations for them.”

Selena Peng (11) often dons a tight top with loose pants in a variety of complementing colors.

Her style centers around a blend of comfort and self-expression.

She bases the colors of her clothes on her mood, deciding between five pairs of pants and a wide assortment of tops.

“I think my style really showcases my personality,” said Peng. “If I have a test, I wear darker colors that make me look gloomy, but if I feel like it’s a good day, I’ll wear more accessories or lighter colors.”

As a dancer, coolness, convenience, and comfort are at the top of Eric Jia (10)’s list when it comes to fashion. He said he finds inspiration from breakdancers, seen through his preference for baggy clothes.

For those seeking to elevate their wardrobes, Jia offers one piece of advice: follow personal desires. “ Wear whatever you want, it’s subjective. It’s really just your style and whatever you want to do,” said Jia, “and if people judge you, then that’s their problem.”

Anuj Patel (11) has a knack for pulling off casual outfits and making them look effortlessly cool. With his signature fade and curly hair, paired with baggy pants and a not-so-baggy top, he captures attention every where he walks.

“I started dressing like this in ninth grade,” Patel said. “My old school had a uniform, so I could only wear that.”

Brands like H&M make up a part of his wardrobe, but it is Patel’s personal touch that makes his style uniquely his.

Vera Lin (12) is the embodiment of the fall/winter girl. Despite the sweltering heat waves, Lin stays true to her aesthetic by keeping it cool with lightweight sweaters and her go-to Crocs — sports mode only, of course.

As for clothing sources, she focuses on reliability, convenience, and the thrill of good finds through thrifting and local shopping.

“It’s a lot of Brandy.

Can’t go wrong with that,” said Lin, “and the rest is from my mom’s closet.”

Photos by Olivia Ma

‘DRESS TO IMPRESS’S RISE IN POPULARITY ON CAMPUS

By Katherine He Editor-In-Chief

Dress to Impress, a competitive dress-up game available on Roblox, has taken the stage as one of the fastest-growing games on the platform. It is a game that does a great job of doing what it advertises by enabling players to dress up creatively, but definitely has room for growth.

The moment the player opens the game, they are put into an active server, and have five minutes or less to assemble their outfit. Their outfit must adhere to the theme, which can range between anything from “ Tudor period” to “Androids vs. Cyborgs.”

“My favorite theme has to be ‘Green’,” said Shreyas Jay (11), a new player. “I actually had this prompt once where it was green and I dressed up as a tree. It was really creative.”

The dress-up phase, the main part of the game, is very stressful for most, as players are running back and forth between different clothing and makeup stations while also having to color and customize different parts of the outfit.

There are special game passes to make

the process easier, but they cost real money. The most popular gamepass, the “VIP” pass, unlocks an additional room of clothes in the game, along with exclusive poses and servers.

Many players view this feature as a disgrace to the competitive aspect of the game.

“Having VIP can skew the results” said Olivia Ma (12). “Players should not buy their way to success, the people that should be getting extra items are experienced players through earned points.”

The VIP game pass is not the only feature met with criticism, as players have been noticing the frequent map updates and changes have done more than just rearrange the placement of some items.

“I’ ve noticed that the map has been getting bigger every update, it seems to me they ’re doing this to make it take longer to get around,” said Annika Hambali (11), another

experienced player. “ This is probably how they ’re getting players to purchase the ‘Run Faster’ game pass, which increases walk speed.”

The rest of the game, the voting and intermission phases, are quite standard for a dress-up game. Generally speaking, Dress to Impress does not offer much originality in its genre. Most of the Roblox dressup games that used to have high levels of popularity were created almost a decade ago, and offered a similar experience to Dress to Impress, sometimes even being rated higher.

One game people commonly compare Dress to Impress to is Fashion Famous. While Fashion Famous never reached such high levels of popularity outside the Roblox community through influencers, it is still incredibly similar to Dress to Impress, having a pay wall for special items, a runway-themed competitive aspect, and a time limit for assembling outfits.

Many of these “retired” Fashion Famous players have switched to Dress to Impress, just as how many people who enjoyed dress-up games in their

THE HIDDEN BEAST: MRBEAST AND HIS CONTROVERSIES

By Sarah Wu and Tycho Young Opinion Editor and Feature Editor

Known for his quick editing, flashy visuals, extravagant video premises and philanthropic feel-good content, Jimmy Donaldson, a.k.a. MrBeast, is the most subscribed to Youtuber with 320 million subscribers, and the third-most followed Tiktoker at 104 million followers. Despite his positive and light-hearted message and large fanbase, he has recently come under fire for allegations of hiring sex offenders, faking videos, and abusing his platform for capitalistic pursuits.

KEY CONTROVERSIES Scandals emerged when Ava Kris Tyson, a recurring personality in MrBeast videos, faced allegations of pedophilia and discriminatory beliefs.

Tyson resigned from the MrBeast team but her actions left a mark on MrBeast’s previously untouched channel.

Soon after, YouTuber Shawn Dawson (DogPack404 on Youtube), released a video that brought forth ac-

cusations of MrBeast faking videos.

Multiple members on the MrBeast team have also been accused of sexual misconduct. Allegedly, MrBeast was aware of these incidents and protected those involved by covering their faces in videos and rehiring them.

While neither MrBeast nor his businesses have been charged with anything, he is being sued by former guests over unsafe work conditions and a toxic culture.

“I think it’s fake. I don’t think MrBeast would do such a thing.” said Vivaan Apte (7). “He’s trying to do great things and there needs to be a sacrifice for the greater good.”

FEASTABLES AND LUNCHLY

Over the past few years, MrBeast has launched a number of food products, promoting them to millions of viewers with each new video.

Among these products was Feastables, a chocolate bar company that launched with a Willy Wonka-style premise, advertising a chance

in the voting/runway part of a round, where each player presents their outfit with the option to pose

childhood are finally finding a similar game to have fun in after several years.

“I loved fashion games when I was a kid, especially this one called ‘Dress Up Dora,’” said Ma. While the growth of Dress to Impress may seem unbelievable, there is no crazy secret to success behind it. The game simply lets you do what you want: style your model and win.

“Everyone loves the winning part, but I think the best part of the game is the dressing up part, because you can’t win without dressing up,” said Jay. Photo by Katherine He cern regarding the products.

“I mean he’s trying to make a profit, most people are. He’s just a businessman and I don’t see anything wrong with that,” said Jason Lee (10).

SO, WHAT NOW?

mrbeast showing off ‘feastables’; source: pr newswire

to win MrBeast’s chocolate factory along with many other extravagant prizes. He has also released a competitor to the immensely popular Lunchables, Lunchly, which received backlash on social media for its poor quality and low nutritional content.

“I think they ’re a cash grab. Factually, Lunchly versus Lunchables is like drinking 23 beers versus 24 beers,” said Hannah Zhao (10). “I think he’s using his image to market his content.”

Other students showed less con-

Despite serious accusations, MrBeasts’s years of building a brand of positivity and love have garnered widespread admiration.

Perhaps even more important than his scandals is the quality of his content, which plays a more significant role in the long term. As his content becomes directed toward a younger audience, he faces a bigger threat.

“I don’t watch his videos because I think I’ve matured out of them,” said Zhao, “but it also has made me think that he’s not as good of a guy as I thought I was.”

Photo by PR Newswire

8

SPORTS

OCTOBER 31, 2024

VOLLEYBALL’S POPULARITY SPIKES

By Angela Cao and Chen Ma News Editor & Staff Writer

It’s early morning. Students file out the doors into the blacktop area, and almost immediately, a crowd forms around the volleyball net.

Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and among the most prominent sports, if not the most, here at BIFU. Whether it’s AE, lunch, or free periods,

there are always people playing.

“I play volleyball every time I get the opportunity to,” said Baolyn Lau (9).

The sport is incredibly easy to learn. Players must simply hit the ball with any part of their body, as long as they don’t hit it twice consecutively, without letting it touch the ground. Each side can hit the

students from multiple grades play together

students play volleyball without a net in the bifu quad during ae

ball a maximum of three times before they must hit it over the net.

Volleyball also requires minimal equipment and space, making it accessible as well. BIFU provides volleyballs, and the grassy quad area is the perfect spot to play. Nets are already set up on the quad, making volleyball an easy choice. Groups of students circle around, hitting the ball to each other.

One anonymous sophomore found the prospect of “the three step combo play ” fun, and he said it “makes [him] feel very good.”

Evidently, volleyball resonates with many students due to its dynamic and fast-paced nature. The combination of teamwork and strategy used in the game makes it an appealing sport.

BIFU’s volleyball club is thriving, with

BIFU STUDENTS MOURN THE LOSS OF THE OAKLAND A’S

By Sachit Parekh and Vincent Yang News & Sports Editor and Opinion

A melancholy atmosphere surrounds the Oakland Coliseum on the evening of September 26 following the Oakland Athletics’ 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers. 48,889 fans from across the Bay head back to their normal lives — not in good spirits, but feeling rejected, ignored, and nostalgic.

The September 26 victory was the final game that the Oakland Athletics, more colloquially known as the A’s, played at the Oakland Coliseum, leaving behind a 57-yearlong Oakland-rooted history filled with leagues of memories.

The A’s first moved to Oakland in 1968 from Kansas City, Missouri, playing from the Oakland Coliseum. During their time in Oakland, the A’s brought home 4 World Series titles out of 6 appearances. Notable former A’s players include Rickey Henderson, Dennis Eckersley (a Fremont native), and Reggie Jackson.

In spite of the team's storied history in Oakland, the A’s are set to relocate to Las Vegas by 2028 after several attempts to build a new stadium at the Howard Terminal site in Oakland. Unfortunately, as a result of local disagreement and financial strain, the A’s lease at the Oakland Coliseum will expire at the end of 2024 and they will play their home games at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento for the 2025-2027 seasons. With Nevada stepping in to help ease the financial burden with a $380 million public financing package to help build an MLB stadium for the A’s on the Las Vegas strip, the move became more

OCTOBER COMIC

By Brandon Yu Staff Writer

attractive for the team’s ownership.

“Las Vegas is taking away everything that’s great about this state,” said Soorya Ignatius (12) in response to the news.

John Fisher, the baseball team’s owner who inherited the team from his family in 2005, has been widely criticized by fans for neglecting and deliberately underinvesting in the team to justify the relocation. As the A’s payrolls shrank and the Coliseum deteriorated, fans became more and more disillusioned.

"Screw John Fisher," said Akul Karnataki (12). “He is a massive sellout. Las Vegas is a city of corruption, and to watch him give up our beloved team for the sake of money is honestly really depressing."

In defending the decision to relocate, Fisher has cited the financial challenges of building a new stadium in Oakland and delays in negotiations, stating that staying in Oakland incurs too much risk.

Fans in the BIFU community and beyond largely remain unconvinced, and have been left with feelings of abandonment, frustration, and bewilderment.

“It made me so sad. I love the Bay, and so seeing a team that everyone loves leave was so heartbreaking,” said Romil Bhatt (12). “ E s pecially because I saw all the Oakland fans get on the BART at Coliseumand I thought about how it would never be as packed with fans again.”

On the other hand, BIFU students

fans took to protesting the a’s departure and

management through shirts, banners, and flags

during the final game on september 26th; photo by

carlos avila gonzalez/the sf chronicle

who don’t follow Major League Baseball are uninterested in the future of the A’s.

“Personally, I just do not know much about baseball regarding the teams, players, plays, news, etc. so I do not have much of a reaction to this news,” said freshman who wished to remain anonymous. “ I also don't really have any thoughts regarding this as it does not affect me as a person or anything that I take interest in.”

The departure of the Oakland A’s has elicited overwhelmingly negative reactions from not only Bay Area residents, but also from MLB players and fans from across the nation. Local celebrities, such as Tom Hanks, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Trevor May, have expressed their condemnation towards this decision. In the span of five years, Oakland has lost all three major sports teams that called the city

eighteen members and a combination of both veteran and beginner players.

It’s a casual space to relax after class, and an opportunity to exercise and have fun in a low stakes environment.

“Volleyball was intimidating.

There were a lot of really great players, and it was easy to feel overwhelmed,” said Sharanya Chouhan (10). “But over time as you get better and better and closer and closer to your teammates, it’s actually very fun, even if you’re not the best at it.”

As players bond through games, they learn to support each other and foster new friendships on the volleyball court, or in this case, the BIFU quad.

Photos by Angela Cao and Chen Ma

home — the Warriors, who moved to San Francisco; the Raiders, who moved to Las Vegas, and now the Athletics, who are also moving to Las Vegas.

A region-wide movement centered around selling the Athletics franchise to an owner that will keep them in Oakland is represented by a green flag embossed with the word “SELL” on it, and can be seen displayed in front yards across the Bay. In addition, hashtags such as #FJF (F*** John Fisher) and #SellTheTeam are popular across social media platforms like Instagram and X. When it comes to the general BASIS student body, however, these forms of protests have flown under the radar, with only 28.6% of survey respondents having any knowledge of them.

The future of Oakland’s professional sports scene remains uncertain, but there is a glimmer of hope.

Just earlier this year, a baseball club called the Oakland Ballers, shortened to Oakland B’s, was formed as a part of the Pioneer League, a group of smaller minor-league West Coast baseball teams, as a direct response to news of the Athletics’ departure.

Soccer (or football) is also gaining traction in and around the city, via the relatively new Oakland Roots FC. Despite the devastating loss of the Oakland A’s, the future of sports in the city of Oakland — and the East Bay in general — has a bright outlook.

It is unknown what will become of the former Oakland Coliseum, however, fans can only hope for the best.

Graphics by Canva

STAFF MEMBERS: Editors-in-Chief: Katherine He, Julee Jiang and Olivia Ma Section Editors: Angela Cao, Aarna Kamath, Pooja Kanthala, Vera Lin, Emma Ma, Sheil Mody, Sachit Parekh, Selena Peng, Josh Peter, Thanisha Thambidurai, Ailsa Wu, Sarah Wu, Vincent Yang, and Tycho Young Staff Writers: Shubh Bachkethi, Angela Cao, Aaron Ely, Hemangi Ghimire, Aarna Kamath, Pooja Kanthala, Vera Lin, Natalie Luo, Chen Ma, Emma Ma, Sheil Mody, Sachit Parekh, Selena Peng, Josh Peter, Thanisha Thambidurai, Ailsa Wu, Sarah Wu, Vincent Yang, Nick Yin, Tycho Young, and Brandon Yu Graphic Design: Katherine He, Julee Jiang, Olivia Ma, Selena Peng, and Ailsa Wu Thank you for reading the second issue of the fourth 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 any errors and typos in the following issue.