February 15, 2023 issue

Page 15

15

THE CHARGER ACCOUNT

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

DESIGN BY REAGAN LIU

Art by Vishnu Kumar IG: @vishudhevkumarvdk7

By Freshman Addi Shah

Medusa’s Advice

IG: @aadicshah

Dear Medusa, How do I accept that things have changed? That I have changed? You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself. I too once thought of myself as a blooming prayer, as springtime imminent. Every flowerfield was someplace sacred, every stranger was one more person to call me beautiful. It was not until the sea god saw me as a tidal woman, as something always on the verge of crashing— it was not until Athena saw me as a savage wave, as a challenge to her dignity. It was not until all this happened that I changed, that I became something to be avoided. There is nothing like being enshrouded in cool shame to make people think looking at you will turn them into burning stone. Just as there have always been snakes inside of you, even if you never saw them, there will always be flowerfields. Even if you never see them. Let yourself be delicate. Treat yourself like a waning gift; not even the gods stay immortal. Remember, you are a cherished moon. No one thinks of the moon as any less beautiful just because she has changed phases. A gibbous shines just as much as a crescent; light is light, even when it looks different. You have changed, but times have changed with you. The world will learn to love you despite your aching stones. You will learn to love yourself despite your hardening shame. Shield your eyes if you must, but know that you are the one who must learn “This artwork was inspired by the films Ponniyin Selvan and Bahubali and the famous monk Bodhidharma. It represents an aspect of The Way of the Warrior: In the face of adversity, we must stay strong and focused.”

Photos by Anahita Kashani Gregg

“Crevice” By Senior Nicholas Yen

My window sits in a tight crevice, Flanked by two fat buildings That loom large and dark; But on rainy days like these, You can trace the myriad streams Coming down from the roofs, Sliding onto woods and metals, Making countless little waterfalls; Each droplet must brave such heights, Eventually dropping onto plants Waiting at the bottom of the ravine, On these days they look so green, The smooth rain pats them on the head For passing a long and faithful wait, And all of us dwellers of the crevice Shall receive our share of life.

Art by Alexander Guan

I fall apart

Venetian waterways

Photo by Anonymous

Foggy afternoon in San Francisco

Secluded canal

Photo by Anonymous

Abandoned street art

Visit thechargeraccount.com to learn more about the student submissions. Do you want your creative work featured in The Charger Account? Email lelandchargeraccount@gmail.com for more information!


Articles inside

Art by Vishnu Kumar IG: @vishudhevkumarvdk7

1min
page 15

U.S. women’s soccer: A sport for White America

2min
page 14

NFL fumbles safety: Damar Hamlin’s near-fatal injury

2min
page 14

The toll of China’s Zero-COVID policy

3min
page 13

Grassroots organizations at the forefront of change

3min
pages 12-13

Nuclear Future Slippery slopes for European ski resorts

3min
page 12

Spirituality

3min
page 11

Club rush: Changes in club constitution

1min
page 11

Lost in memory

10min
pages 8-10

All terrain-wheelchairs blaze new trails at state parks

3min
page 7

Noma’s closing: Reckoning with the realities of fine dining

2min
page 7

Andrew Tate: Face of media misogyny

2min
page 6

Avatar: The way of white saviorism

4min
page 6

Gas stoves ignite heated debates

3min
page 5

Recruitment ruse: Tricking teens into enlistment

2min
page 5

The right to replace planned obsolescence

3min
page 4

An unfair trade: The Brittney Griner prisoner swap

1min
page 4

Embracing differences: The importance of diversity in friend groups

3min
pages 3-4

Maintaining a balance: The powerful influence of friends

2min
page 3

A degree of change for UC workers

5min
page 2
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.