June 1, 2023 Issue

The Charger Account The Charger Account

Starting a new chapter: Cahn and Seandel retire from teaching

As Mark Cahn, Science Department, and Steve Seandel, Social Science Department, prepare to retire from the San Jose Unified School District, it is impossible to overstate the impact they have had on their students and colleagues throughout their teaching careers. Cahn and Seandel have become beloved figures in the community, and they leave behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of Chargers.

Cahn has been an invaluable member of the school’s faculty for over three decades, teaching biology, human anatomy, physiology and biomedical science during his tenure. Cahn’s passion for the biological world was fostered through his family’s love for the outdoors—particularly his father’s interest in reptiles and the many nature adventures they went on together. Due to impactful experiences with teachers and his extensive involvement working with students as an Eagle Scout, he eventually decided to become a teacher.

Cahn finds teaching to be fulfilling and meaningful and considers it a medium through which an individual can positively impact the world. As a teacher, he embodied the values of a good role model and

encouraged his students to find joy in the process of learning.

“I hope my students understand how crucial it is to be an active participant in their own lives and that while there are many things in life beyond their control, they have the power to choose how they want to respond to difficult circumstances and obstacles,” Cahn said.

Fellow teachers in the H- and E-wing fondly described Cahn’s enthusiastic shout of “good morning” each day before first period. His students recounted memorable moments spent bonding with his three snakes, his penchant for telling jokes and his dedication towards ensuring

“Mr. Cahn is one of the few teachers that will actually sit down and make sure that you understand the answer to your questions instead of simply telling you the answer and moving on. Whether it be through analogies or simplification, he will ensure that you truly grasp whatever concept you are struggling Nick Shojaei said.

As the son of the school’s first principal, Seandel has a strong connection with the school

community. Aside from teaching U.S. history, American government and economics, he has also been heavily involved in school sports—he coached the boys’ basketball team for eight years. Seandel has also been a member of the Santa Clara University Athletics Hall of Fame since 2017 for serving the Men’s Basketball team as an associate head coach for 15 seasons. During his tenure, he notably coached NBA star Steve Nash and helped the No. 15 seed Broncos upset the No. 2 seed Arizona in the 1993 NCAA tournament.

“I have been either playing or coaching basketball since I was about eight years old. It is a key part of who I am; I will continue to play the greatest game on Earth,” Seandel said.

Seandel explains that coaching basketball has been both the most enjoyable and also most challenging occupation he has taken on. Many of his close friends are also coaches, and he finds the experience of reconnecting with former basketball players to be particularly rewarding.

Seandel found a connection between coaching and teaching in the emphasis they both place

on discipline, competition and thoroughness. Seandel maintains that discipline in the classroom is a highly important aspect of education and that being lax is actually a disservice to the students.

“Mr. Seandel will go down as one of my favorite teachers of all time. I will never forget the history he taught to me and countless other students, and his super quizzes always put a smile on my face. His teaching methods were very engaging and informative at the same time, and I often found myself captivated by the videos he showed us in class,” Senior Michael Luo said.

As Cahn and Seandel prepare for their retirement, their absence will be felt deeply by the entire community. Their immense contributions to the school’s academic and extracurricular programs and the personal connections they have established with the student body and faculty cannot be replaced. However, they have both left a lasting legacy in their time here—one that students, colleagues and close friends will carry on by emanating their teachings and core values in their daily lives.

Thank you both for dedicating yourselves to making a difference, imparting wisdom and inspiring the Charger community. Wishing you a next chapter filled with joy, relaxation and fulfillment!

Dear Chargers,

In just couple of weeks, I will be completing my service to Leland High School. Leland has always been more than a job to me. Rather, it has been an integral part of my identity since I was 14 years old.

Having grown up in the Almaden Valley, I have always considered Leland as the centerpiece of Almaden. I can still vividly recall being a student at Bret Harte. On the days that we got to run track at Leland, it was always a treat! Also, watching the football games on Saturday afternoon was exciting and inspiring. In fact, I still remember being so happy when I got to join the Charger Football Team!

Just like the seniors are discovering now, my four years at Leland passed by very quickly! Before I knew it, I was walking the stage for my graduation at the Rose Garden, just like countless other Chargers before and after me!

After college, I decided that I

wanted to be a teacher. Upon enrolling in graduate school, the teachers and administrators at Leland High School accepted me as a student teacher. Furthermore, a retired Leland teacher was assigned to me as the graduate school supervisor. Even after graduating from high school, members of the Leland community were still looking after me.

Upon finishing the teacher credential program, once again, Leland gave me an amazing opportunity by hiring me as a teacher. I am very sure that there were better and more experienced teachers to hire, but I was offered an opportunity because I AM a Charger.

For 10 wonderful years, I got to be a classroom teacher.

I taught English and Speech

athletic events and taught summer school. What a privilege working with so many outstanding students! In reflection, I learned so much from my students and I will treasure my memories of being their teacher.

With heavy conflict, I left the classroom for the

for the students and the importance of having

and Debate. In addition, I advised clubs, supervised the gate at

office and served as Leland’s assistant principal for five years. This was a whole new world for me and a whole new set of responsibilities. From being an assistant principal, I learned the value of introducing out-of-class experiences

a strong staff—both faculty and support staff. And it was not until I became an administrator that I realized how many people it took to make a school function. Outside of the classroom, I learned about the amazing work of office staff, custodians, nurses, counselors, campus supervisors and on and on. It really does take a team!

Then five years ago, I got the opportunity of a lifetime when I was named the principal of this amazing school. What an honor and a privilege to look after the teenagers of Almaden Valley! The youthful energy and the brilliance that our students radiate are a constant inspiration to me. In addition, the memories of working alongside our 132 staff members will stay with me forever.

Leland Chargers, I will leave you with two things:

1. I will not do anything greater than being the Leland High School’s Principal.

2. I will forever be grateful to all my students and staff (past and current).

Diya Boyapati

Once a Charger, always a Charger: A fond farewell from Mr. Park

JANE HONG ART

JUDE TANTAWY ART WILLIAM HUANG PHOTO

Remembering Mr. Mackey

enthusiast, football coach, school board president and special education teacher—John Mackey, Special Education Department, inhabited many identities throughout his life, bringing relentless enthusiasm and kindness toward every endeavor and interaction. Mackey was inspired to pursue a career in special education while working with highneed students as a paraeducator— or instructional aide—at Branham High School.

“When he was working with the special education kids, a light bulb went on. He enjoyed not only working with the students, but also helping parents understand their child—both socially and emotionally. Many special education students struggle with academics; it was important to him to help the parents see that academics is not the end-all be-all, that there are other aspects of their child’s life that are on the table,” Alison Mackey, Mackey’s wife, said.

After obtaining a master’s degree in special education, Mackey taught special needs students at Del Mar High School and later Caroline Davis Intermediate School, before settling into a teaching job here for seven years. He worked alongside resource specialists Meinani Carrara and Shirin Raisi, Special Education

students. Mackey passed away on March 25 after battling an aggressive form of squamous cell carcinoma for nearly a year. Principal Peter Park remembers Mackey for his cando attitude and optimistic outlook on life; he displayed the utmost

Raisi recall that Mackey had an infectious laugh that filled the room and had a unique ability to solve difficult problems that few people possess.

“People often talk about wanting to change this and that; Mackey was someone who actually worked to make those changes. He advocated strongly for his students, maintaining high expectations regardless of their struggles and teaching them to navigate their lives independently. The biggest lesson he imparted was to not limit yourself to what you can do today; there are always ways to achieve the things that appear like dreams at the present,” Raisi said.

Antara Gangwal

Staff Writer

Exquisite, enthralling and enlaced with secrets, Roshani Chokshi’s adult debut “The Last Tale of the Flower Bride” crafts a unique ode to fairy tales. True to its title, the novel unfolds like the petals of a flower—elegantly poised at first, only to decay into an eerie, haunting story.

In the classroom, Mackey approached students with patience and an open mind. If he noticed a student struggling, he would pull them aside for a one-on-one conversation, often making the difference in helping the student get back on track. Mackey took a holistic approach to teaching— facilitating communication between subject matters and connecting

Outside of the academic sphere, Mackey was passionate about athletics; he was an assistant coach for the school’s football team for several years. He also loved collecting records and compiling playlists—his wife recalls that he needed external hard drives to carry his music because he would run out of storage on his iPod.

Mackey was also devoted to serving the community, even taking on the role of school board president for the Oak Grove School District. He will be remembered fondly by the students he served, their families and his colleagues as an individual who lived his life with courage, kindness and compassion for those around him.

California storms bring a superbloom of color

Andrew Duval

By the side of highways, hills and even near the school, native flowers flourished and bloomed, creating large and vibrant patches that could be seen even from space. This year’s superbloom—when large amounts of dormant wildflower seeds blossom at roughly the same time—was the result of 31 atmospheric river storms that struck California in the winter, bringing much-needed water but also causing billions of dollars worth of damage.

Superblooms are relatively rare and can vary in intensity. The wet and cold winter created the perfect environment for native wildflowers to blossom all over California. The reduced amount of invasive grasses resulting from past years of drought also aided in making the superbloom happen, as flowers in California had fewer competitors. While the increased presence of wildflowers may be aesthetically pleasing, experts note that human

scenery and I hope that the flowers stay around and bloom again in the future,” Junior Riley DiNaro said.

Storms from atmospheric rivers—narrow, fast-moving streams of moisture—brought relief to California’s water shortage by filling its reservoirs. The Associated Press states that most regions in the state are no longer in a drought and that California can meet 100% of its water needs for the first time since 2006. To put this into perspective, water levels in reservoirs this year are at around 90% capacity, compared to just 50% at around the same time last year.

However, the storm has caused damages estimated to be between $5 billion and $7 billion, affecting roads, houses, crops and more. Santa Clara County estimates that the cost of repairs to roads in the county alone will be $15.4 million. The atmospheric river also caused rivers to overflow, creating floods and

Staff Writer

According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, it is likely that both droughts and storms will become more intense in California because of the changing climate; severe droughts may lead to water shortages and crop failures, while storms are likely to bring heavier rainfall, causing more flooding and landslides. All of these would have detrimental effects on the economy.

“I have seen a lot of rampant weather conditions and unexpected changes in temperatures in the past couple of years. In the coming years, we might have to contend with higher food prices, property damage and damaged infrastructure. While concerning, I do think that we can overcome these challenges,”

Freshman Daniel Xu said.

The atmospheric river storm that hit California this year has had a massive impact on the state’s economy and environment. However, the atmospheric river also caused a

The story begins following the bridegroom, an unnamed character who meets and is instantly enamored by the elusive Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada, the orphaned heir of the Casteñada fortune. The two fall deeply in love and marry within the first few chapters, yet the bridegroom soon discovers that Indigo harbors secrets beneath her silken surface. Fracturing into dual timelines—one following the bridegroom’s exploration of Indigo’s childhood home in the present and one telling the story of Indigo and her childhood best friend Azure from the past—the novel explores and pieces together the truth behind Indigo’s past.

Especially in the past timeline, Chokshi’s lush, gothic prose is exceptional, immersing readers in a kaleidoscope of emotions that stem from a close childhood friendship, from whimsy and excitement when Indigo and Azure are younger, to their slow falling out as change distances them. A curse binds the two, highlighting the dark side of magic and fairy tales, bringing an edge to the story. The backstory is crafted with countless layers, boasting parallels and symbols that echo common fairy tales.

Yet the current timeline fails to hold its weight against the backstory’s strength; it is difficult to connect with the bridegroom, whose internal conflicts are barely resolved. In fact, the bridegroom’s story seems more like an afterthought compared to the backstory—it invokes more confusion than clarity— contradicting the novel’s initial impression as a story with two balanced storylines. Furthermore, while Indigo’s story in the flashbacks is clear, its unclear ending in the present timeline leaves the reader discontent.

Had “The Last Tale of the Flower Bride” ended on a stronger note, the novel might have elevated to a position in my favorites list. Nonetheless, this is a promising adult debut written in gorgeous prose—one to add onto Chokshi’s strong array of Young Adult and Middle Grade novels, solidifying her craft as a writer.

“The Last Tale of the Flower Bride” (4/5)

“The Last Tale of the Flower Bride”

JANE HONG ART

Photo Courtesy of Yearbook

KAILEY HU ART

OPINIONS

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SVB: Panic, portfolios and prevention

to sell its bonds at a $2 billion loss, plunging its stock by 60%.

In mere hours, SVB’s panicked clients withdrew a total of $42 billion, prompting the swiftest “bank run” in history, rapidly draining the bank’s reserves and risking total collapse. Economists

former clients their funds by March 13, cushioning the fall.

Cracks in the bank’s stability from deregulation began to show years before the bank run. Through SVB’s lobbying efforts, legislation passed in 2018 loosened oversight on banks. SVB’s failure to diversify assets was also a major factor in its death, as its gamble on low-interest bonds was never guaranteed to last.

Ella Polak

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Diya Boyapati

Our mission in the community is to inform, educate and investigate the events occurring within Leland’s community and beyond.

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Holding over $200 billion in assets in December 2022, the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was the 16th largest bank in the U.S., serving nearly half of American tech startups and venture capital firms. However, it was shut down on March 10, culminating in the second-largest American bank collapse since the 2008 financial crisis and sending shockwaves through the financial system.

Two years ago, SVB’s deposits skyrocketed when a spike in digital consumption allowed it to purchase $91 billion in Treasury bonds. Normally, the government then pays back the loan with interest, making bonds generally long-term, low-risk investments. However, the Federal Reserve aggressively ramped up interest rates to combat rising inflation, plummeting SVB’s investment portfolio and deposits. The rate hike stifled startups’ ability to borrow money, forcing withdrawals. To replenish its reserves, SVB had

Gwen Carroll

guaranteed. Unconventionally, the government later guaranteed all

“The absence of federal regulation paved the path for SVB’s collapse when interest rates severely damaged its investments. Thus, regulations must be re-established to lower banks’ investment risk

Yet, venture capitalists, who held the highest stake in SVB, unintentionally hammered the final nail in the coffin by spreading panic on social media, mobilizing the tech startup community into Instead of blaming any single cause, the various reasons that collectively contributed to SVB’s fall must be analyzed: deregulation, reliance on low interest and a frenzied bank run. If confidence and stability in the American banking system are to be restored, it is crucial to learn and adapt from the failure.

Unraveling the web of self-diagnosis

A woman holds her hands out in front of a camera and challenges viewers to put a finger down for every behavior they relate to. A man recounts a personal experience, explaining to the audience how certain feelings and actions are actually trauma responses. Groups act out skits portraying symptoms of mental disorders they experience, describing their impact on daily life. On the surface, these videos appear to be helpful, as they destigmatize discussion about mental health. However, such posts are often flawed testimonies—the result of irresponsible self-diagnoses.

Self-diagnosis is not inherently flawed—professional diagnoses are inaccessible and unaffordable for many, as reported by The White House. Self-diagnosis also encourages individuals to do their own research and educate themselves on potential disorders. Although independent research cannot compare to a licensed therapist’s expertise, it can be a powerful tool for underdiagnosed groups such as women and people of color.

Medical professionals often dismiss symptoms of AttentionDeficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in girls, because of stereotypes of girls simply being social individuals. But such dismissal is no excuse to use unverified social media posts as proof of the disorder. Videos

on Tiktok are rarely factual; a study conducted in February 2022 by the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry found that about half of all TikToks tagged with #adhd were misleading, meaning social mediabased self-diagnoses are likely inaccurate. Rather than relying on social media, those seeking to self-diagnose should conduct proper research and use professional tools such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V).

“TikTok is far from the best way to selfdiagnose. There are many medical resources available, so even if it is difficult for marginalized groups to be professionally diagnosed, they should not turn to TikTok as their main source of research,” Sylven Zou said. Adversity often fosters strong bonds; hence, circles of similarly marginalized individuals, tend to be closer than groups with shared interests. As a result, people often self-diagnose in the hopes of fitting into tight-knit circles—but when such bonds are built upon false diagnoses, it becomes difficult for people to correct their self-diagnoses even if proven incorrect. Additionally, overly casual discussion of disorders blends

Staff Writer

disordered and normal behavior together—when so many are convinced that everyday behaviors are signs of a disorder, they unknowingly spread misinformation to those who seek community. For instance, ADHD is frequently selfdiagnosed by TikTok users, yet few of the behaviors—such as being competitive—are actually listed as symptoms in the DSM-V. Even if unintentional, this undermines the experiences of those who are professionally diagnosed.

“It is ridiculous for unqualified people to act as an authority on disorders they may not even have. It detracts from the credibility of those who have the illness or have expertise on it,” Sophomore Christian Hemprich said.

Although individuals with such symptoms deserve treatment, it becomes challenging for psychiatrists to identify the root cause of these symptoms when clients firmly believe in their own self-diagnoses. Moderation and rigorous research are crucial to self-diagnosis. Without them, one risks obstructing a professional diagnosis by a clinician and delaying treatment. Although social media can be helpful in the path towards seeking treatment for a disorder, one can easily be swayed by unprofessional advice.

DESIGN BY BERTINA FAN

Brand inclusivity: The fight for diversity

Moments after the school dismissal bell rings, long lines of students arrive at the store, scrambling to take pictures with cardboard cutouts of models displayed on storefronts. Allured by the promise of stylish clothing, many fail to recognize the mishaps beneath the store’s seemingly taintless reputation.

In the late 1980s, Abercrombie and Fitch, a clothing shop catered towards “frat boys,” became a hit amongst teenagers. Their clothes gave customers both the conservative looks of Ralph Lauren—collared blouses paired with plaid pants— and the seductive style of Calvin Klein, distinguished by its revealing and cropped attire. The brand’s popularity was further bolstered when managers hired famous fashion photographer Bruce Weber to advertise the store’s designs.

“White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch,” a documentary published in 2022, spotlights how wearing clothing from the brand quickly became associated with being “cool.”

“Brand popularity plays a major role in teen shopping preferences. I see many students buying clothes from popular brands such as Lululemon and Hollister to follow current trends. It has developed into a norm, and students who dress

differently in vintage and gothic styles are wary of being judged,” Sophomore Natalie Zhou said.

However, because Abercrombie and Fitch’s clothing sizes only went up to size 10, plus-

size of the brand as the “perfect body type,” which can pressure them to slim down—taking a toll on their mental and physical health.

“I frequently find myself feeling ashamed of my own body, especially when shopping at the local mall. Shopping at its stores degraded my well-being and self-worth because clothes did not fit me. Although having more inclusive stores would make it easier to find clothing that fits, it is also important to shop with a positive mindset and always appreciate your body,” Sophomore said.

Pho Almaden

Ella Polak Staff Writer

more inclusive, as stated by The Washington Post. Under HorowitzBonadies’s leadership, Abercrombie and Fitch now offers extended sizes, lengths and fits.

Similar to Abercrombie and Fitch, Brandy Melville’s infamous one-size-fits-all, initiated in 2009, has sparked public controversy. Due to the brand’s popularity, countless teenage girls perceive the clothing

Makeup also fails to address issues regarding lack of inclusivity. As mentioned in Teen Vogue, makeup brand IT Cosmetics suffered backlash in 2018 when only three of their 13 foundation shades were dark. In recent years, many brands have worked to expand their product appeal to a wider range of customers. Fenty Beauty and Haus Labs, makeup lines produced by singers Rihanna and Lady Gaga respectively, have been publicly praised for their varied range of foundation shades. As more brands strive to broaden the diversity of their products, many envision a market with full inclusivity, giving all consumers an equal opportunity to shop for what suits them.

Decrypting the TikTok ban: Congress and controversies

Staff Writer Lia Yereslove

Founded by the Chinese tech company ByteDance in 2016, TikTok is a highly popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos with music or original sound clips. TikTok has over a billion active users worldwide, with the majority being teenagers and young adults, both in Asia and other parts of the world—wincluding the United States. Despite the popularity of the app, TikTok has recently come under scrutiny by the U.S. government for fear of it being a security threat.

The backlash stems from the private data TikTok collects from its users, such as browsing history and location data. According to ABC News, the U.S. is concerned that the information will be exploited by the Chinese government to spread misinformation about the U.S and spy on Americans. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri was one of the most vocal advocates for the ban on TikTok in the U.S., citing concerns over data privacy and the app’s ties to the Chinese government. Other lawmakers, such as Senator Mark Warner and Senator John Thune, publicized their concerns about the app and proposed the RESTRICT Act, which would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to restrict digital products and services with more than one million U.S. users from foreign adversaries—namely China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela, as stated by Insider.

However, many lawmakers assert that TikTok does not pose a privacy risk. One of the main opponents of the ban was Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who argued that banning the app would violate free speech and anger the millions of voters that use it. Democrat Cori Bush further supported Senator Rand Paul’s argument by explaining how the U.S. government has historically ignored instances of harmful data privacy and misinformation tactics by other large social media companies, making it unreasonable for TikTok to be singled out.

Nonetheless, a congressional hearing took place on March 23 to address the concerns over TikTok security. During the hearing, Tiktok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew appeared to be subjected to discriminatory sentiments by some of the representatives, as he was asked irrelevant questions related to the Chinese government rather than the security of TikTok, as stated by The Associated Press. According to the CNN, many online users have protested that such representatives are biased, uncredible and lacking technical knowledge.

“TikTok is a very addictive platform that primarily affects younger generations. Although I would not be affected by the TikTok ban, others may be disappointed and scrambling for another addiction to rely on,” Sophomore James Watson IV said.

Recently, Montana became the first state to enact legislation that would outlaw TikTok. The Republican-controlled Montana House of Representatives forwarded the bill to the state governor on April 14, who signed it into law on May 17. A violation of the ban could result in fines of up to $10,000 per day for any company, including TikTok, Apple and Google. However, the state prohibition will not be going into effect until January 2024, according to NPR.

“If TikTok were to be banned, it would affect me greatly. I would lose a major source of entertainment since Tiktok plays a large part in my life and it is one of my most used apps. Without TikTok, I would not know what to do in my free time,” Freshman Remy Steinert said.

A handful of U.S. government officials claim TikTok poses a significant security risk to the United States, while other lawmakers and TikTok users strongly oppose this viewpoint, stating that banning TikTok violates the First Amendment and that the alleged security risks are merely speculations. Although no bill was passed federally, TikTok users are facing a real possibility of the app being banned in their state. The future of TikTok is in the hands of this controversy over national security and data protection.

Entering a lively strip mall off Almaden Expressway, I grabbed lunch at Pho Almaden—a spacious restaurant with Vietnamese decor. Although I had been there before, I was eager to review their delicious and comforting bowls of pho, or Vietnamese noodle soup. My dad and I were immediately seated, and our food was on the table in minutes. I got my usual order, the standard #1 Special Combo Beef Noodle Soup, along with Vietnamese iced coffee and a side of Vietnamese crepes. However, after trying my dad’s order, the #36 Hue’s Spicy Noodle Soup, I loved it so much that I forced him to switch his bowl with me.

The pho’s beef-based broth was delightfully rich, its flavor and pleasantly elevated by the chili oil and fish sauce. It had various cuts of flavorful beef, including brisket and tendon, and a few slabs of umami pork sausage. The bowl was topped with raw onions, cilantro and scallions, and presented a generous serving of thick noodles. Although all the elements were delicious, the noodles were the star of the dish. Rather than the traditional thin pho noodles, the noodles in the #36 bowl were thick and just the right combination of soft and chewy. They had a mild taste that was enhanced by the rich broth and were immensely satisfying to eat, so much so that my dad complained because I ate them all immediately after stealing his bowl.

All the while, I sipped on my sweet yet strong Vietnamese iced coffee and grabbed bits of the Vietnamese crepe, a thin, crispy omelet-like dish filled with bean sprouts, beef and shrimp. The crepe was crunchy and deliciously fried; its flavor paired well with the fresh bean sprouts, complimentary lettuce and sweet dipping sauce.

After finishing my (dad’s) bowl, my hunger was fully satiated. Pho Almaden is the place to go for huge portions of soothing and fulfilling soup. Trying a new type of Vietnamese noodle dish made me realize just how many other good options the restaurant offers beyond their standard fare. I highly recommend that anyone looking for a noteworthy Vietnamese place drop by Pho Almaden and give their cuisine a try. + wide variety of options

DANIEL CHOI ART

Unsanitary conditions litter the school

While walking through the school, encounters with trash in the halls, gum stuck to the floor and general filth are nearly impossible to avoid, showing that hygiene is often not prioritized by the student body.

Many high school campuses are covered in litter, the most unsanitary areas usually being the bathrooms. Additionally, there is an immense buildup of old chewing gum stuck to the hallway floors, under desks and in bathrooms. The poor cleanliness allows for the spread of germs and an overall unsettling environment for everyone on campus.

“There is often trash on the floor of the girls’ bathroom, including used toilet paper, food wrappers, dirt and used menstrual products. Additionally, many students misuse the toilets for impractical purposes such as trying to flush chip bags and homework, which leads to the toilets getting clogged,” Sophomore Medha Gadikere said.

The Alestle Live, Southern Illinois University’s student newspaper, claims that a common reason for littering in schools is that students do not feel any sense of responsibility and instead assume that another person will clean up after them, such as custodians. People also feel more comfortable littering if the area is already littered. However, in some cases, students go out of their way to intentionally litter in the bathrooms, such as wasting toilet paper to use it as decorations. As a result, many students steer clear of the school bathrooms.

“Occasionally, I see leftover food on the ground. It is unfortunate that students rarely pay heed to the school

environment. People should put more of an effort to take care of their surroundings because they spend the majority of their day there five times a week and an unsanitary environment is directly affecting them,” Freshman Selina Dong said.

Common speculation of the motivations for school contamination points to the influence of social media.

NPR reports that a plausible reason why students have been damaging bathrooms is for attention on TikTok.

Police have also pointed to TikTok as a driving force behind the trend of vandalizing bathrooms. Incidents range from red dye found on bathroom floors in Arkansas to a stolen soap dispenser in Florida. Jacqueline Nesi, an assistant professor at Brown University, found adolescents to be more likely to engage in unethical behavior solely for social approval.

Although everyone at school is affected by the unhygienic environment, the custodians bear the brunt of the work accommodating students’ reckless actions. The waste and littering may also lead to increased prices for maintenance. According to the Newton Distributing Company, which specializes in commercial restrooms, schools have installed automatic hand dryers and modern toilets with superior flush valves to withstand more intense congestion.

Still, if students avoided clogging the sinks and toilets with their garbage in the first

place, these expensive interventions would not be necessary.

“Our team works hard to keep things in good condition for the students, so handling the unnecessary clutter they produce can be frustrating as it takes up our free time. There are even occasions when we are unable to complete our jobs due to a lack of resources and the school has to call a maintenance team to unclog the sinks and toilets,” Custodian Salvador De la Cruz said.

The most effective solution to improve the unsanitary conditions at school is for students to be more empathetic towards staff members and aware of the consequences of their actions. Schools can emphasize the importance of sanitation by advertising the issue through announcements and lessons taught in classrooms. The Newton Distributing Company, also suggests that parents instruct their children on what to do if they witness an obscene act involving vandalism: report it to the office or a nearby adult.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of every student to improve the campus’s sanitation. Until students stop littering and start cleaning up after themselves, the filth on campus will remain despite

Staff Writers

the custodians’ best efforts. Although students are often easily influenced—especially with the negative influence of social media trends— keeping the school clean is beneficial for themselves and others.

Quotebox: How do you feel about the school bathrooms?

Compiled by Sophia Qin, School News & Science & Tech Editor

“I feel indifferent towards school bathroom sanitation as it does not affect me. I rarely use the restroom, but whenever I do, I never examine the conditions of the bathroom. The gum stains in the hallways make the school look unappealing; however, I am not bothered by it during passing periods or lunch.”

—Junior Nolan Shieh

“Although I do not prefer to use the school restroom, the girls bathroom is well-kept enough for me. When I do go, I choose the bigger stalls, as I feel cramped in the smaller ones. The occasional toilet paper on the floor does not bother me. However, trash around campus is a different story. I frequently step on food and other litter, which motivates me to always keep my area clean and throw my trash away.”

“The bathrooms at the school are straight out of the high schools portrayed in movies—unsanitary, filthy and shabby. I do not go to the bathroom at school very often, but I am still bothered by how dirty they are. The school’s bathrooms definitely decrease the school’s overall appeal and quality; however, it has not made a huge impact on my well-being or everyday life at school.”

—Sophomore Khedaar Kashyap

Tammy Newman and Lauren Wilson

KAILEY HU ART

—Junior Ayla Monserate

Pension paradox: France passes controversial retirement law

Kyan Wang

In the bustling streets of Paris, cries are ringing out: “Louis XVI, Louis XVI nous l’avons coupé la tête, Macron, Macron, nous pouvons recommencer”—we beheaded Louis XVI, Macron, we can start again. Burning an effigy of centrist French president Emmanuel Macron, hundreds of thousands of protestors have gathered across France to denounce the government’s recent decision to raise the pension age from 62 to 64, which effectively increases the retirement age.

The change has been deeply unpopular in France, with Forbes reporting that 72% of French adults disapprove of Macron’s current leadership—up 14% since January, when the bill was introduced. Centrists such as Macron justify the pension reforms as the most reliable solution to France’s large annual pension deficit, which may reach 13.5 billion euros annually by 2050. However, critics say that they unfairly target the French working class.

“Since Macron’s law only increases the pension age by two years, it does not justify the scale of the protests—they may reflect the French people’s general disapproval of the government’s direction, not just the pension changes. Macron’s challenges to the status quo with his pension law shows that he is concerned with the best interests of his country and not pandering to voters,” Sophomore Colin Jubert said.

The protests have been occurring on since January, with over one million taking to the streets during the peak of the civil

unrest in March. Notably, rock climber Alain Robert, known as the “French Spider-Man,” was seen scaling a 38-story Paris skyscraper to demonstrate his support for the protests. Although the protests were initially peaceful, they have become increasingly violent as police and protestors clash. NPR reports that security forces have charged into protestors and made extensive use of tear gas, injuring hundreds. Over a hundred officers have also been injured by molotov cocktails,

they resurged in the wake of May Day, and hundreds of thousands of protestors still line the streets daily.

Because Macron’s party lacks a crucial majority in France’s parliament, Macron invoked a special constitutional privilege to bypass the parliament and sign the pension reform bill into law. Macron’s decision has been criticized by both France’s left and far-right wings, with hardleft leader Jean-Luc Melenchon condemning it as an act of a “presidential monarch.”

“Macron is abusing his right to bypass the parliament.

This presidential power may sometimes be beneficial, but Macron is using it to further his own agenda against popular opinion, which is way over the line. Such a large change as the pension reform should have been discussed with the elected representatives because they would provide more comprehensive insights on the reform,” Junior Lillian Montgomery said.

Staff Writer

were mostly negative, with

than 33% of flights being canceled in France, and garbage has piled in the streets of Paris as waste collectors abandon their duties. Although the protests have died down overall,

Macron is no stranger to controversial work reform. In 2017, he campaigned to give corporations more flexibility in negotiating work hours with employees, walking back France’s strict 35hour workweek. Macron asserted that these actions were necessary to bolster the French economy amidst plummeting birth rates and economic stagnation, which may lead to a shrinking and aging workforce and increased taxation. However, reactions to the changes

on numerous occasions. Risking their bodies and lives to demonstrate, French citizens’ penchant for civil disobedience shows a strong commitment towards the democratic ideals of popular sovereignty and resisting against authoritarianism.

Monkey business between Sri Lanka and China

infrastructure projects built with Chinese loans, such as the Hambantota Port and the Mattala Airport.

China has offered to waive part of Sri Lanka’s debt and interest for two years, hoping to strengthen its diplomatic ties and influence in Sri Lanka and improve its overall global image.

Still, Sri Lanka must eventually repay its debt. As a way to alleviate both the farming and economic crisis, Sri Lanka has offered to send 100,000 of its native toque macaque monkeys to China. Although macaques are internationally endangered, the Sri Lankan government recently took them off the national protected animals list because there are nearly three million of them in the country. China, accepting this trade, announced that the monkeys will be distributed to around 1,000 zoos.

but if they exploit the primates to produce traditional medicines, they will be responsible for the demise of the endangered species,” Freshman Noel Thomas said.

Moreover, per The Statesman, there has been no census of monkeys in China over the last 40 years. Thus, activists argue that more studies need to be done to ensure that these macaques can even survive in China.

and restoring debt sustainability in Sri Lanka.

destroying crops in Sri Lanka, leaving many farmers struggling to make ends meet.

At the same time, Sri Lanka is facing its most severe economic crisis yet. According to Indian news publication Firstpost, the nation owes over $70 billion in debt, with 10% debt belonging to China, its largest lender. This immense debt is largely the result of ambitious

Many animal rights activists oppose the trade. Several distrust China, believing that these monkeys will be used in labs where they will be caged, poisoned and killed, accelerating their extinction.

“China is well-known for trading in wild animals that are utilized in traditional Chinese medicine and for scientific research. It is difficult to foresee what China will do with the macaques,

“Macaques should not be exported because they are still in risk of extinction despite being overpopulated in Sri Lanka. In addition, there are many things to think about while trading animals with another nation. The monkeys may experience challenges due to climatic differences, and there is a possibility that these monkeys may carry diseases that can infect other species,” Sophomore Jason Bui said.

According to Business Standard, in January, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $3 billion bailout program to help Sri Lanka repay its debt and promote financial support for the country from other IMF members like India. The loans are intended to help with macroeconomic stabilization

As a heated debate over the monkey trade rages on, it is unclear when the plan will be implemented, although Sri Lanka confirmed on April 19 that a Chinese company linked to Zoological Gardens has requested the Sri Lankan Ministry of Agriculture to send 100,000 monkeys. Ultimately, the monkey trade has been received as a warning about Sri Lanka’s economic situation, spearheading efforts for economic stabilization

Staff Writer

Gilina Voon

ELLIE KIM ART

Universities of California

college decisions

class of 2023

California Community Colleges

Eastern U.S.

American University

Keirah Chen

Boston University

Hyelynn Kim

Brenda Wang

Columbia University

Miranda Lu

Cornell University

Leon Huang

Daniel Xie

Duke University

William Sun

George Washington University

Robert Carey

Anahita Kashani Gregg

Michael Sher

Benjamin Sosnowski

California State Universities

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Fiora Beratahani

Maggie Liu

New York University

Ethan Chen

Evan Dworkin

Reagan Liu

Michael Que

Olin College of Engineering

Aiden Bulow

Rhode Island School of Design

Kailey Hu

Rochester Institute of Technology

Andrew Etter

University of Connecticut

Kaela Pham

Out of Country

Concordia University

Ethan Andrada

California Private Schools

Chapman University

Angelica Butta

Siiri Haapasalo

Loyola Marymont University

Jordan Chiotellis

Miya McCrory

Santa Clara University

Ashley Stephens

University of San Francisco

Elizabeth Zhou

University of Southern California

Anthony Mai

Ethan Yamagami

Jessica Yao

Southern U.S.

Emory University

Jessica Liu

Daniel Yoon

Trinity University

Anagha Purushotham

Avery Pazdel

Daniel Polous

Sehyeon Won

Bilal Yaseen

Harvard University

Alexander Lee

Johns Hopkins University

Ethan Chang

Sanjana Subramanyan

Vocational School

Silicon Valley Polytechnic Institute

Jaydan Severin

Western U.S.

Arizona State University

Ostin Carl

Matthew Jump

Boise State University

Skylar Davis

Kaitlyn Ereno

Travis Herzing

Colorado State University

Emily Haddad

Oregon State University

Taylor Bennett

Claire McCulloch

University of Colorado

Kelsey Apen

Emma Nessen

University of Oregon

Sienna Lulenski

Elliot Marshall

Audrey Mills

University of Washington

Eshaan Adusumalli

Natalie Gao

Washington State University

Katy Touretsky

University of Maryland, College Park

Christina Xu

Vassar College

Kimaya Saijpal

Armed Forces

Coast Guard

Marcin Witanis

Midwestern U.S.

Case Western Reserve University

Kenneth Yang

Northwestern University

Raymond Dai

Ohio State University

Aditya Srivastava

Purdue University

Shivani Venkataramanan

University of Chicago

Sterling Xie

University of Illinois

Urbana-Champaign

Isaac Ang

Jeehee Kim

University of Michigan

Nihal Shetty

Jeffrey Zheng

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bobby Bui

*These

Kaela Pham almost got kicked in the face with spikes by…

Amanda Bui screaming mini-goats and a sheep named Banksy Echo Matsumura who discovered a burrowing gopher with… MilliBlom, whohelda

MarioEnriquez , AnthonyMai, whowatchedthe masterpiecethatis “RRR” with…

loopholeswhodeviouslyabused duringtheSeniorSpoonsgame alongwith...

while volunteering at a farm in Sunnyvale, with…

ZacharyMousharrafie, whowatched “TheSuperMarioBros. Movie”with…

Evan Dworkin, who studied for the AP Physics 2 test with...

Class of 2023

partyforher 18thbirthday attendedthatwasby...

Nicholas Yen, who drove home to make sure his house didn’t blow up with…

Brandon Vu,who performedalipsync andobservational drawingskitat GQinfrontof…

Leon Huang, who often harrassed the Journalism room during 7th period in order to visit…

WilliamSun,whocrashedintoabiker inhiscarwith…

NihalGunukula , whocrossedup akidwith…

KaileyHu , whodealswith pesteringtheconstant of…

Eric Koga, who went to the gym at 4 a.m. with… Eric

Sunny

ShaneKing,who AshSanjeev,who drove home after promat2a.m.with…

projectmeasuringapossible association completedbetweentextcolor astatistics andperformanceonamath testwith…

Ilinca Flacau, who participated in ClubPhilosophy along with...

Austin Carroll, who

sprinted most of the way home in order to catch

up with…

SterlingXie, Minecraftaskedtoplaywith…

Amy Wang, whofelldeeplyinlove with the cute face of…

JessicaLiu, who drew characters visitingIKEAwith…

Heeju Nam, who watched an amazing 4K performance from…

Six Degrees of Separation

Brenda Wang, who made delicious mango sago with…

Erica Song, who attempted to draw Raccacoonie for the Chalk Art

Miranda Lu obsessed over the love triangle in “Reply 1988

CarissaRobinson, whowhereactedinadramaplay shewasthewifefactorytoaneccentricchocolate ownerand motherto…

Siddharth Krishnaswamy, who helpedtoplan a birthdaypartywith…

JooyoungKim, whoplayedin orchestrawith...

RyanSantos,who boughtpizzaandhungoutinaparkafterAPtestswith...

Brodey Palmaffy , who is a member of the class of 2023.

Desiree Vu-de Leon, who only had a pad to offer when a bloody nose attacked the nostrils of...

Kim, who visited Sinaloa, Mexico with…

Christian Kim, who survived a mall shooting with…

Vinay who crashed his car with…

Kenneth, your art is fantastic and we appreciate your easygoing and fun personality. You are super easy to talk to and can always find the good in any situation. Your sense of humor is impeccable and you never fail to make us laugh. We hope you have fun at Case Western!

Reagan, thank you for your consistently cheerful and reliable presence throughout the production process. We admire your ability to adapt to changing situations and your work ethic—you have improved so much this year! We wish you a terrific time at NYU!

Tammy, you are always so friendly and approachable. Thank you for your unwavering kindness, sense of responsibility and approachability! We will miss your good-natured and outgoing presence in Journalism. We wish you the best time at CSULB!

Isaac, your commitment to Journalism is outstanding and you never fail to put out high quality work in both your pages and articles. You are always open to a variety of suggestions and feedback, and we can count on you to get the job done. We hope UIUC treats you well!

Quincy, we will miss your consistently amazing art the creativity and detail interwoven into every piece is breathtaking. We love how you are so relaxed, funny and easygoing. You have a super unique sense of style. We hope you have an amazing time in your years at CSUMB!

Bertina, thank you for your wonderful page designs. Your outstanding creativity and dedication to Journalism shine every issue. You are super sweet, kind and relaxed. Thank you for your reliability and hard work during print nights and beyond. We hope you have a blast at SJSU!

DESIGN BY INSEO KIM AND BREANNA LU

DANIEL CHOI AND KAYLA CHOI ART WILLIAM HUANG AND JULIA NAKANISHI PHOTO

Keirah, you are always so welcoming. Your friendly disposition makes print night so much more fun, and we will always remember you whenever a Taylor Swift song comes on. We hope you have a blast at American!

Raymond, your thoroughness and attention to detail is inspiring. You know your topics inside and out and your light-heartedness consistently keeps us entertained. We hope your years at Northwestern treat you well!

Miranda, your commitment to Journalism is astounding—we will never forget the weekends you dedicated to the newspaper. Your GIFs never fail to make us laugh (though they may be a bit horrific). Enjoy your gap year and have fun at Columbia!

Larry, no matter what is giving us trouble, you always have a solution to our problems. Your laid-back nature puts us at ease during print night. We hope you have a great time at UCLA!

Breanna, your serenity in hectic times helps us all stay focused. Whenever someone is having trouble, you are always there to help out. Manasa, you are the backbone of the editorial board. Without your organization and all the help you provide, our newspaper would not be nearly as good as it is. Both of you will make outstanding EiCs next year!

such a lively environment, and the class would not be the same without you. We cannot wait to work with you again next year!

Jeehee, your flexibility and ability to remain unphased are things we all aspire to achieve. Claire, the work you put into promoting Journalism is incredible. Without you two, our posts and posters would not be as eye-catching or interesting. Claire, we know next year will be just as great, and Jeehee, have a great time at UIUC!

Julia, your photography knowledge is astonishing and your willingness to answer every question is always inspiring. Your liveliness has made for many memorable conversations. We know your photography will only become more impressive in the future!

Kailey, your enthusiasm for art knows no bounds. You are so hardworking and always come up with such creative ideas. Your kind-heartedness shines in every interaction and your quotes and emojis in the server always make us crack up. Have fun at RISD!

Ellie, your ability to come up with stunning ideas is amazing. Your patience and advice is so helpful in keeping us confident and relaxed. Our spirits are always high because of your positivity. Have an amazing time at UCSB!

Manasa Sriraj

Breanna Lu

Jeehee Kim

Claire Pham

Julia Nakanishi Kailey Hu

Ellie Kim

Keirah Chen Miranda Lu

Larry Ye

KAILEY HU, ELLIE KIM AND DANA LIM ART

DESIGN BY INSEO KIM AND IMRAN SHAIKH WILLIAM HUANG AND JULIA NAKANISHI PHOTO

QUEEN ELIZABETH II PASSES AWAY (SEPT. 8, 2022)

After a reign of 70 years, the longest of a British ruler, Queen Elizabeth II has finally passed away at the age of 96. She passes the throne to her son King Charles III, the oldest person ever to be crowned, at age 73.

ELON MUSK PURCHASES TWITTER (OCT. 27, 2022)

Businessman Elon Musk purchases Twitter for $44 billion. Despite attempting to back out, a successful lawsuit forced him to continue with the deal. After the acquisition, Musk laid off 80% of the staff and took Twitter into private ownership, causing widespread public backlash.

WORLD POPULATION REACHES EIGHT BILLION (NOV. 15, 2022)

Hitting seven billion only 12 years ago, the world population has already reached eight billion people. The world population will only continue to rise at exponentially higher rates each year. It is expected to reach nine billion in 10 years.

LAUNCH OF CHATGPT (MARCH 14, 2023)

ChatGPT, an AI system, launched at a value of $29 billion. Powered by Microsoft and Nvidia, its success boosted profits and forefronted a revolutionary development in tech.

COVID PANDEMIC DECLARED OVER (MAY 5, 2023)

The World Health Organization (WHO) removed the emergency status for COVID 19, after three years of the global pandemic. Starting in January of 2020, the pandemic killed nearly 7 million people and disrupted world economies. The WHO’s official announcement signals the end of an era.

BUBBA THE CAT PASSES AWAY (MAY 22, 2023)

The school’s beloved mascot, Bubba the cat, sadly passed away. A local celebrity, Bubba brought joy to students and teachers and was even featured in National Geographic. He will be missed dearly by the Charger community.