Feb. 3, 2021 Issue

CHARGER ACCOUNT

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The

San Jose Unified School District Leland High School 6677 Camden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95120

Vol. S No. 3

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Leland High School · 6677 Camden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95120 Vaccinations begin in the Bay Area on page

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Video games evolve in the modern era

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Students pursue their passion for fishing

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NICOLE KIM ART

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8 VIEWPOINT 10 IR 12 FEATURES 15 SPORTS 16 LAST WORD

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6 ENT. & LIFESTYLE

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NICOLE KIM ART

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FEBRUARY 3, 2021

NEWS Students and staff: Mapping out next year’s schedules cont.

It is important to know my limits and think about if I can realistically handle all my class’ workloads,” Weth said.

When students talk to their parents, siblings, friends or teachers about course selection, they should also think about several other factors before finalizing their schedule requests. Junior Karin Liu believes it is important to consider rigor and take classes that are challenging.

However, Morefield emphasizes that it is also crucial to carefully evaluate each class’ workload, take into consideration why students are interested in a class and preserve a lifestyle that maintains a healthy balance between school and other activities. It will be especially important to deliberate over these aspects if part of school were to be online again next year, as Morefield notes that distance learning has caused many to feel burnt out.

Aside from considering wellness, peer recommendations and workload, students’ academic goals and career aspirations also

impact the types of courses they take.

Morefield recommends that students contemplate what they want to do after high school and choose classes that truly interest them.

“Because I intend to pursue a career in STEM, I am currently taking engineering to explore the mechanics behind everyday objects. In addition, I am looking forward to taking computer science next year to learn about computer softwares,” Sophomore Daniel Tsai said.

After students request their classes, administrators work to develop the master schedule, which includes information on the distribution of teachers and class sections. In doing so, they work both digitally and manually to accommodate each schedule request while considering a number of other factors. They make sure to evenly distribute students between class sections, avoid overlapping single-period classes, clarify that staff members have the credentials to teach their subjects and

much more. Therefore, Assistant Principal of Instruction and Curriculum Mary Ann Dougherty explains that it is crucial for students to carefully choose their courses in February and March, as those choices dictate what is available in the fall.

Following the initial creation of schedules, counselors continue the

“Morefield recommends that students contemplate what they want to do after high school and choose classes that truly interest them.” process by looking through each schedule for errors and ensuring that students are on track for graduation. Once schedules are created, Solomon explains that it can only be altered if there is a gap, a missing course or an incorrect placement.

As students begin the course selection process, many are looking forward to taking specific classes. Junior WenWen Gu is excited to take SJCC’s psychology and sociology courses through the school.

“Psychology and sociology seem like very interesting subjects to study.

Although I do not know if I would like to enter the medical field, the courses will help me prepare for the future with college credits and allow me to explore new fields.

I am also looking forward to experiencing what it is like to take a community college class, as the teaching style may differ from high school,” Gu said.

As students begin requesting their courses, the administrative staff and counseling department continue to dedicate themselves in developing an effective schedule-making process.

Although it remains uncertain what form next school year will take, staff members work to meet everyone’s needs and make the transition as smooth as possible.

Aiding each other: School and community forge new ties

Keirah Chen and Norah Shen

Staff Writers

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Even through COVID-19, considering holding more of these events Beyond monetary donations, the “The fundraiser with the school is n d a the school has held several even when in-person school resumes. school has also teamed up with local really nice and has helped our business.

B Seco f AS n o d fundraisers and donation The success of the Second organizations to raise money for the Every day, students and their family y drives to raise money Harvest Fundraiser is significant to school while also benefiting t of S acy Daws members come to buy Charger rtesy on u o for the student body the school, as student participation cafés and shops during Donuts but also end up C and the community. in donation drives have been the pandemic. Students buying our regular donuts.

Since the school is declining over the past few years. can pick up the Super Selling the Charger Donut not allowed to host The school’s Pennies for Patients Charger drink from has increased our profits in-person events fundraiser in 2019 collected Boulevard Coffee by 15 percent,” Mary such as bake sales, $500 less than the one in 2016, and the junior class Lonh, owner of Maple dances or charity while the amount of canned raised $700 from Leaf Donuts, said. events, Associated food collected in the 2019 Can their Holiday See’s These partnerships Student Body (ASB) Jam fundraiser decreased 400 Candy sales. also contribute to ASB’s has adapted to the pounds from the previous drive Maple Leaf funds for items such as situation and found in 2016.

Donuts has become a posters and decorations, new ways to engage While it is not certain source of support for or to prepare events like C on Homecoming and end-ofD with the community whether monetary donations the school’s fundraising harge af f Minji Kim efforts. They recently r Donut sold at Maple Le the-year celebrations. Money o y while following social are more beneficial than s e t r sm Cou s distancing guidelines. collaborated with ASB raised by each grade goes towards junior one ion item donations, the tary donat Recently, the school held school has nonetheless to sell the Charger Donut, prom or senior events like Senior Sunrise. a donation drive for the local food bank, found it to be an having part of the funds go Currently, ASB is brainstorming how Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. Since effective form of to the school. In addition, to hold their annual Pennies for Patients Second Harvest is not accepting the usual raising money for the donut shop serves fundraiser to increase donations from food donations, students were asked to the community. as a drop off point for previous years. As the semester progresses, provide monetary support. By constantly Walsh explains that the sophomore class’ the school also continues to look for local promoting the fundraiser on social media receiving money can used sneaker drive. organizations to team up with. for a month, the school raised $7,680, be more useful to These fundraisers are Despite the pandemic making which was more than double ASB’s goal organizations, as they largely beneficial for the fundraising more difficult, the school keeps of $3,000. According to Activities Director can buy anything that per rd businesses involved, as it working to engage with and support the C va attracts customers who want to community by utilizing online donations e l Meg Walsh, monetary donations have families need instead of harge r Drink sold at Bou been rather effective and ASB is now limiting it to specific items. support the school. and partnerships with local businesses.

THE CHARGER ACCOUNT

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COMMUNITY NEWS Vaccinations and trials: People take measures to protect their health Reagan Liu and Miranda Lu Staff Writers

Quotebox: How do you feel about getting vaccinated?

Compiled by Natalie Gao and Michelle Qiao, Staff Writers

“If there was an opportunity, I would definitely take the vaccine. After the efforts of many doctors and scientists to develop this vaccine, it is only right for us to use it.

Considering the high success rate for the vaccine, there should not be much anxiety over it. I would not really expect my lifestyle to change that much from quarantine right now since we would most likely be in this state until states issue an official announcement.”

—Sophomore Jessica Liu

healthcare workers in the county—have already received the required two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“I got vaccinated to protect myself from life-threatening complications of the virus and my reactions to the vaccine included a sore arm and fatigue. For the time being, my lifestyle will not change significantly after having received the vaccine—I will continue to wear my mask, practice social distancing and wash my hands frequently because there are still many who have not gotten vaccinated,” Serena Tan, a physician at Los Gatos Pediatrics and parent of Sophomore Aurora Matsumura, said.

While some healthcare workers have been vaccinated, many residents are exasperated by healthcare facilities’ slow rollout of the inoculation. For instance, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) reported that even though long-term care residents account for 39 percent of coronavirus deaths in the country, numerous patients are still unaware of when they will get vaccinated.

Similarly, when people called Kaiser Permanente to make a vaccine appointment, the hospital placed them on hold for several hours—an average of four hours with waits up to 10 hours—causing individuals to not only be frustrated by the lack of communication, but also concerned for their health, according to the National Broadcasting Company (NBC).

San Jose Spotlight attributes the slow rollout in

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Currently, clinical trials are in progress for COVID-19 vaccines developed by AstraZeneca, Janssen and Novavax, and the trials are still going on for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to test the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness.

Additionally, Kaiser Permanente recently partnered with Pfizer-BioNTech to participate in vaccine trials. Although the studies were mainly focused on adults, they also centered on several adolescents between 12 and 17 to test on a wider age group. One participant, 17-year-old Allyson Eisenman of Branham High School, decided to enroll in the hospital’s clinical trial to help diminish the spread of the pandemic.

Since the clinical trials are blind tests, Eisenman may have received the COVID-19 vaccine or a placebo.

Regardless, she took blood and allergy tests to ensure that she was eligible to participate in the vaccination trial. To gauge the effectiveness of the vaccine, Eisenmann was tested for antibodies after receiving both doses.

“I wanted to set a good example for younger children and encourage more people to join the trials. Especially since both of my parents participated in the vaccination trials before me, I was not only motivated to follow their footsteps but also confident that the procedure would be safe,” Eisenman said.

Based on her own experience, Eisenman assures fellow students that the vaccines are safe and effective and encourages them to participate in the trials. Furthermore, she asserts that it is imperative for all community members to receive vaccinations when they become available to the public.

Although the vaccinations are currently unavailable to the most of the general population, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department reported that 50,000 healthcare workers— about 26.7 percent of the total 140,000

BEOMHEE K

After Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna introduced the first COVID-19 vaccines, California began distributing vaccines in mid-December of 2020. The vaccination consists of three phases: 1A, 1B and 1C. Currently, the state is in Phase 1A, with the vaccine’s administration being prioritized for essential workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

Following Phase 1A, Phase 1B will cover emergency service workers, teachers and people who are 65 and older.

In Phase 1C, the vaccine will be distributed to the rest of the population. According to California All, California’s official COVID-19 update site, vaccines have been dispensed at health institutions and local pharmacies such as Walgreens, Consumer Value Store (CVS) and Ralphs.

As of January, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are the only two vaccines approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cable News Network (CNN) states that both vaccines are about 95 percent effective and immunize against the virus by helping the body produce SARS-CoV2 proteins.

Although the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines share functional similarities, they also have a few major differences. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, for example, has to be kept at minus 75 degrees Celsius, and expires after five days of refrigeration. In comparison, the Moderna vaccine can be stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius and has a shelf life of 30 days. As a result, the Moderna vaccine will be used in more rural settings while the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be administered in large hospitals and densely populated areas. The timing for each also differs: the two required doses are administered 28 days apart for those who receive the Moderna vaccine, but the doses are given 21 days apart for those who get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Santa Clara County to logistical problems and insufficient vaccination supply, both of which prevent vaccines from being quickly accessible.

Additionally, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) asserts that lack of funding has ultimately impeded facilities’ ability to administer vaccines.

“The COVID-19 vaccine has its pros and cons. It is a great start for the nation, but needing to get two doses of the vaccine might be a flaw. A concern might be that people will get it the first time, then refuse to get the second dose or not take necessary precautions like mask-wearing or social distancing,” Freshman Natalie Shin said.

Moreover, due to the high demand for vaccination but low supply of doses, the City and County of San Francisco believes that vaccination will not be available for most people until the end of the year.

“I would definitely be interested in getting the vaccine when it becomes available because there have been many clinical trials—there is no reason to be afraid of getting vaccinated, and it is the best shot we have at getting back to normal,” Junior Yasmin Sharbiani said.

Although the County is only in Phase 1A, many people are looking forward to the vaccine becoming available to the public in hopes of returning to their normal lives in the near future.

polled

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“The COVID-19 vaccine is positive and something that society would benefit from.

I would definitely take the vaccine because it is crucial in preventing the spread of the virus and ending the pandemic. Additionally, it is backed by scientific data and health professionals, so there really is not a reason to not take the vaccine. My lifestyle would not change after the vaccine because I would still be quarantined and remain indoors.”

—Junior Conner Shih

“The vaccine should be trusted since it has gone through rigorous clinical trials to ensure that it is not only safe but also effective.

It is important that essential workers get the vaccine first because they are the people who need it most. I am also interested to see when a safe vaccine will be available to younger people since some of my family members are under the age requirement. I hope our community will work together to quickly distribute the vaccine to everyone who wants it.”

—Senior Kaci Ngo

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FEBRUARY 3, 2021

OPINIONS

Democracy prevails: An inauguration like no other Nam Nguyen Feature World Editor

The Charger Account Leland High School 6677 Camden Ave. Principal Peter Park San Jose Unified School District San Jose, CA 95120-2142 (408) 535-6290 thechargeraccount.com EDITORS IN CHIEF Kelly Cui, Minji Kim, Sophia Lu ART AND PHOTO DIRECTORS Nicole Kim, Ivan Zhu, Quynh Nguyen NEWS EDITORS Jonathan Yue, Ashley Lee OPINIONS EDITOR Hannah Moon FEATURE EDITORS Ashley Lee, Nam Nguyen VIEWPOINT AND LAST WORD EDITORS Aileen Xie, Evelyn Liu ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE EDITORS Ridge Coffey, Cindy Zhao INVESTIGATIVE REPORT EDITOR Nancy Zheng SPORTS EDITOR Matt Wang AD MANAGER Nancy Zheng SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITE MANAGERS Cindy Zhao, Ivan Zhu ADVISOR Stacy Dawson COMMUNITY CIRCULATION Parent Club and Leland Bridge STAFF WRITERS Dhruv Anish Breanna Lu Keirah Chen Michelle Qiao Raymond Dai Norah Shen Bertina Fan Manasa Sriraj Natalie Gao Pavana Janice Lee Upadhyaya Reagan Liu Lawrence Ye Miranda Lu ARTISTS Quincy Han Beomhee Kim

RACHEL KIM ART The electoral fight is finally over.

For the U.S., it means leaving behind a contentious election cycle, the anxiety of waiting for swing state ballots to be counted and the endless litigation and fringe tactics used to subvert the results. Democracy has prevailed—but it is left wounded. On Jan. 20, President Joseph Biden was inaugurated on the steps of Congress, its marble facade still marred by insurrectionists. Despite the unprecedented assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, the 46th President of the U.S. urged the country to heal and ushered a new vision forward.

The inauguration was set amidst thousands of state flags, which replaced the usual crowds of supporters at the National Mall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a personnel of twenty thousand National Guard soldiers protecting the federal district.

Nonetheless, shreds of normalcy still remained. The audience, which included three former presidents, watched 22-yearold inaugural poet Amanda Gorman perform and saw Biden walk the inaugural parade at the end of the momentous day.

Despite tumultuous beginnings, the administration has made strides towards better representation, most notably with Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the first female vice president and the

Memes as tools for promotion and propaganda The Charger Account Editorial Staff

PHOTOGRAPHERS Junan Ke Jonathan Morris Rex Li Julia Nakanishi Wendy Lee Diana YousefAudrey Lui Nejad Our mission in the community is to inform, educate,

community and beyond.

The ideas and opinions expressed in our articles represent over half of The Charger Account staff but do not represent the views and beliefs of any particular staff member.

The Charger Account invites submissions of signed letters of opinion. We reserve the right to edit submissions and pieces will be published at the discretion of the editorial staff.

Readers can notify The Charger Account to any errors in print by emailing us at lelandchargeraccount@gmail.com.

We will acknowledge our mistakes in our next issue.

For advertising information and pricing, please check out our website at thechargeraccount.com/advertisewith-us. The Charger Account is distributed to the Leland community free of cost.

The Charger Account February 3 | Vol. S. No. 3

Republicans contended that Trump won as of December, compared to the 38 percent believing Biden did. Conspiracies threatens a fragile democracy as political opportunists pick up the remaining momentum left behind by a twiceimpeached former president.

“For our country, the inauguration of Joe Biden is a sizable stepping stone in a rushing river. It has allowed us to begin to emerge from a chaos of oppression, deception and inaction. It has allowed a country being swept under the currents of division to gain solid ground, if only for a moment, as we recognized the power of the people. Yet this event cannot be recognized as a lifevest or lifesaver, when it is more of a paddle. The challenges of the pandemic, the climate, systemic racism, inequalities of gender and wealth, criminal justice and international relations are among what must unite us, and with our newfound paddle, may we someday find shore,” Senior Trent Donaldson said.

Biden’s presidency will be a testament of whether his vision of solidarity can reach fruition. His ability to lead the U.S. out of a global pandemic while balancing his push for progessive change with reconciliatory bipartisanship will be tested. Nearly half of the country did not vote for Biden, yet he represents all of us. What he does from now on will be both scrutinized and heralded by all Americans.

The new form of political imagery

Rachel Kim Jessica Lin

and investigate the events occurring within Leland’s

first vice president of African American and South Asian descent. Biden’s cabinet is filled with diverse picks that better represent America’s changing, melting pot: Lloyd Austin as the first Black defense secretary, Deb Haaland as the first Native American to lead the Department of the Interior, Rachel Levine as the first transgender nominee for a Senate-confirmed federal position and Pete Buttigieg as the first gay cabinet secretary as the Secretary of Transportation highlight the country’s first minority-majority cabinet in history.

“When I saw that Biden was sworn in as president, I was full of joy and hope— hope that our nation would be a more united place, hope that there would be more peace and hope that there would be more equality among us all. After the many events that took place over the course of four years, I am optimistic about what the future holds for this country,” Senior Niki Sanati said.

The new administration has tasked itself with rebuilding the country. President Biden hopes to pass a $1.9 trillion stimulus package to deal with the economic crisis while devising a plan to administer 100 million vaccine doses in his first 100 days.

His first day in office was notable for his flurry of executive orders, stretching from protecting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to combatting discrimination in the armed forces based on gender identity. Furthermore, the slim Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, following the flipped Georgia Senate runoff seats, offer a unique opportunity for his administration to push more ambitious goals, like investing in infrastructure and sustainable technology.

And yet, Biden’s most difficult challenge is uniting a divided country. The movement that fueled the storming of the Capitol will not dissipate in a day. Division and anger still loom large over the country: a Northeastern University survey of 24,000 Americans found that 39 percent of

In the days following President Joseph Biden’s inauguration, the internet was flooded with its latest viral meme: a photo of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders sitting cross-legged, donning a gray parka and brown mittens. The image rapidly spread across the web, finding itself photoshopped onto other iconic pictures, screen printed on official Sanders merchandise, decorated onto a cake by a baker in Malaysia and even crocheted into a doll.

The Sanders photo speaks to memes’ uniquely potent ability to educate and reach a large audience—which also makes them the perfect vehicle for misinformation and manipulation.

Memes have evolved past lighthearted humorous remarks, and even major political figures have recognized their impact. In his 2016 election campaign, Democratic presidential

candidate Michael Bloomberg paid at least 20 Instagram meme accounts—each with follower counts in the millions—to post staged online conversations that purposefully portrayed him as out-oftouch, according to The New York Times.

While this self-deprecating initiative may seem counterintuitive, Bloomberg’s own account gained over 50,000 followers in two weeks; his campaign told The Atlantic that they believed the strategy could “compete with President [Donald] Trump’s powerful digital operation.”

Although users criticized Bloomberg’s attempt for being too contrived and artificial, the blatancy of its intentions at least renders it relatively harmless.

On the other hand, the true identity of the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russian organization of online trolls, went virtually undetected as it infiltrated the internet with pro-Trump memes in an effort to manipulate the 2016 election and foster division among U.S. voters.

According to Wired, an October 2017 investigation commissioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee reported that the IRA had obtained a total of 187 million engagements with their content on Instagram, 76.5 million on Facebook and 73 million on Twitter. Many of their

memes consisted of images with captions ridiculing liberal policies or encouraging prejudice: one post condemned Hillary Clinton’s stance on gun control by juxtaposing images of her and Adolf Hitler, while others caricatured Muslims as a form of Islamaphobic propaganda.

Nonetheless, domestic memes, like the racist depictions of Pepe the Frog and the misogynistic “tradwife girl” favored by the alt-right, do not lose out to their foreign counterparts at disseminating biased political content. After several extremist members were banned from Facebook and Twitter following the Capitol raid, many of them began spreading their far-right ideals on Telegram, an instant messaging service. While Telegram may not be as mainstream, Vox explains that the heavily exaggerated messages these accounts spread about white supremacy can trick viewers into dismissing them as “trolls” and allowing the memes to quickly reach countless Americans.

With the widespread popularity of memes, it is imperative that we do not allow hatred to become normalized among the sea of content that permeates social media. Instead, we must consider their influence on people’s political viewpoints and meme responsibly.

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THE CHARGER ACCOUNT

OPINIONS

An attempt to “refresh“ Mahjong receives backlash

“If We Were Villains”

Larry Ye and Nancy Zheng

Staff Writer and Investigative Report Editor

Inspired by their love for the game, played during important festivals and family Dallas-based company The Mahjong Line gatherings, Mahjong emphasizes the value released a new collection of “American luxury of togetherness and cooperation through Mahjong tiles and accessories”—many of strategic gameplay, and even serves as a which only somewhat resemble traditional treasured heirloom in many Chinese families.

Mahjong sets—this past November. This The Mahjong Line game sets are more new take on an aspect of Chinese culture has than just physical erasure of traditional caused the Chinese American community to elements on the game pieces; they are accuse the company of misrepresenting and offensive whitewashed versions of Chinese commodifying the game. culture and traditions. On social media According to its website, the Dallas-based platforms, many Chinese Americans have company began selling their version expressed their dismay towards the company. of “respectfully refreshed” Congresswoman Mahjong sets Grace Meng JESSICA LIN ART in November of New to make the York posted physical game “Don’t change pieces “reflect the fun” my history and of Mahjong, a traditional culture to make it Chinese tile-based game. more palatable to you.”

Priced at $325 or $425, the sets “By altering such consist of vibrantly-colored tiles, a culturally significant some imprinted with quirky Chinese game and profiting phrases or floral illustrations. off of it, the three white While some sets contain tiles founders were definitely with the Chinese characters whitewashing Chinese culture. for the single digits, others I am glad that they received so have competely removed of all much backlash—it shows that traditional inscriptions. people have the power One of the founders, Kate LaGere, to stand up in the face of cultural stated in an email to the TODAY show that appropriation,” Junior Iris Gu said. she has been an avid Mahjong player for 25 The company addressed the years, alongside co-founders Annie O’Grady backlash in an Instagram post, and Bianca Watson. LaGere was inspired to clarifying that their intent was to found The Mahjong Line because she felt that “engage with a new generation of traditional Mahjong sets did not match her American Mahjong players” and personal style and hoped to make the game conceding that they “[failed to] to pay more appealing for younger audiences. None proper homage” to the game’s Chinese of the founders are of Chinese descent, and roots. Despite the company’s response, the description of their own products contain some Chinese Americans have called little or no reference to the Chinese heritage for termination of the business, as the and history surrounding Mahjong. sets are still being sold. The company Most commonly believed to have come also stated that they were open to from Shanghai in the second half of the 19th constructive criticism, but defensive century, Mahjong was introduced to American measures such as disabling Instagram foreigners in China in the late 1920s, who then comments suggest that the company is spread the game across the U.S. Typically sheltering itself from taking full accountability.

“Although The Mahjong Line has whitewashed Chinese culture, the company still has the right to sell their products.

Hopefully the founders will learn from the backlash that has occurred from the community, but it is unfair to say that they cannot continue to offer their products to customers,” Sophomore Ethan Chen said.

While the Mahjong controversy is one of the most recent cases of cultural appropriation, it is certainly not the only one.

In December 2020, Lucky Lee’s, a Chinese restaurant opened by nutritionist Arielle Haspel, a white woman, shut down after being accused of racism and cultural appropriation by the Chinese American community.

Haspel was accused of describing the food served at Chinese restaurants as “icky” while advertising her own as “clean,” according to NBC News. In addition, social media users argued that the name of the restaurant came from stereotypical Chinese establishments.

The Mahjong Line’s efforts to bolster the prevalence of Mahjong in the U.S. should be applauded, as its popularity among younger people has declined. However, suggesting that their products are superior to traditional game sets, without paying proper homage, shows a substantial degree of disrespect for Chinese culture.

Cultural appreciation comes from seeking to understand aspects of other cultures— not to fuel personal interests, but to honor cultural diversity.

When companies and individuals draw inspiration from foreign customs and traditions, they must take caution not to undermine the significance behind them nor disregard criticism from members of that culture.

When it comes to terrorism, reporting has a double standard

Ridge Coffey

Entertainment Editor

definition as “the committing of terrorist acts in the perpetrator’s own country against their fellow citizens.” Media sources such as Nashville 5 News Channel and The Washington Post also do not refer to the bombing as domestic terrorism, because this could affect the allocation of funding to rebuild the downtown area, as well as the ability of affected homeowners to file insurance claims.

“Regardless of why the bomber blew up the car, it is ridiculous for the FBI to not call it domestic terrorism. I can understand why, since the only death was the perpetrator, but it still had negative effects on the surrounding area,” Senior Armin Sabanovic said.

The media’s refusal to refer to the event as domestic terrorism became controversial due to racebased double standards in

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In the past year, discussion around racial discrimination has become especially centered around law enforcement. However, the presence of such biases has now become increasingly prevalent in not just the police, but also the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) and mainstream media with the recent Christmas bombing.

On Christmas Day in the downtown district of Nashville, Tennessee, a bomb hidden inside of a recreational vehicle was detonated

by Anthony Quinn Warner, according to The Washington Post. The bomb destroyed at least 41 local businesses and disrupted phone lines around the state. Eight people were injured in the blast, and the bomber himself was killed in the explosion.

Unable to cover the resulting damage costs on its own, the state called on former President Donald Trump for funding for the damage costs .

When the federal investigators looked into the incident, they avoided using the term domestic terrorism, according to Nashville 5 News Channel, and explained that they felt domestic terrorism should only describe attacks inspired by a social or political ideology. However, this does not align with the other definitions of the word, such as the Oxford Language’s

the portrayal of the perpetrator, a Caucasian man. When the New York Times published an article on the event, they described the bomber as a “lonely, single

elderly man who had been diagnosed with cancer.” This frustrated critics on social media, as wording for stories of a similar nature concerning people of color has vastly differed. For instance, when Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez (of Middle Eastern ethnicity) opened fire on two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee and killed four Marines, it only took hours for authorities and reports to describe the case as domestic terrorism, National Public Radio reports. In addition, according to Refinery29, attacks of a similar nature such as bombings carried out

by Muslims receive 357 percent more media coverage than white supremacist attacks, despite the latter being the largest terrorist threat in the U.S. according to the Department of Homeland Security. This double standard is not only unjust, but potentially dangerous if the severity of an attack is understated.

“I do believe that media outlets, federal investigators and the general American public have developed biases against individuals of color. The media covers what the audience wants to hear about, so it intuitively follows that the media adopts the same biases as the general public. However, I feel like people tend to be more cautious with their words with racism currently being a hot topic because of the Black Lives Matter movement.”

Sophomore Desiree Vu-De Leon said.

While completely eradicating any bias in reporting may be impossible, there needs to be a visible effort to at least employ the same type of phrasing when describing events of similar nature. Otherwise, the distrust of media and unjust rulings will continue.

Parker Beyersdoerfer Guest Contributor

Roughly a year ago, my good friend Ioan recommended that I check out M.L. Rio’s debut novel “If We Were Villains.” It chronicles the story of Oliver Marks, a man recently released from prison ten years after being convicted for the murder of a fellow performing arts student. For months, Ioan raved about the novel’s delicious thespian speak, but our mutual friend Emily, an English literature major, absolutely loathed this book. She said I was better off skipping it entirely.

Obviously, I did not listen and read it anyway. My verdict? It’s complicated.

For me, everything Shakespeare related is awe-inspiring. I have been thoroughly entertained by how the lines of classic plays blend seamlessly with major plot events. The first third of “If We Were Villains” is incredibly charming: the chemistry of the main cast feels genuine, and the conversations flow naturally like real ones with my peers in classes. Set in a prestigious liberal arts college, the novel also intrigued me with its mysterious traditions and history.

However, a major critique I have is that Rio’s story is quite nearly queerbaiting. She manages to save herself with a confirmation towards the end of the book, but I don’t understand why Rio feels the need to wait until the last twenty pages. It is almost like an afterthought at that point. Accurate and well-written representation for the LGBTQ+ community is severely lacking in all aspects of media, and I wish she would show more care in the way she portrays queer people. Also, I did not feel as connected to the characters as I would have liked. With such a large cast, that is sadly to be expected.

To add insult to injury, the most disappointing aspect of this novel is its main character. Oliver is possibly one of the most annoying narrators I have ever had to endure. Every word and every sentence feels like he’s constantly trying to justify that he is “not like other boys” because he enjoys theatre. If this story were told through the lens of anyone else, my rating would likely be higher. The writing feels so pretentious, and Oliver overdramatizes small actions for no reason other than serving as chances for Rio to show off her vocabulary. I will not miss him.

Was “If We Were Villains” the worst thing I have ever read? Thankfully, no.

Was it worth reading? Meh. I respect the opinions of both my friends, but I’m taking the middle ground here. If you’re looking for a fantastically dark novel with some elements of Shakespeare, I would recommend “Station Eleven”

by Emily St. John Mandel instead, to which I have Ms. Dawson to thank.

“If We Were Villains” (3/5) probably skip

+ intriguing setting + engrossing mystery - queerbaiting - pretentious narration

FEBRUARY 3, 2021

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ENTERTAINMENT Movie Review: Minari

With Broadway’s curtains down, online theater flourishes Serena Atkinson and Keirah Chen

Dhruv Anish Staff Writer

“Minari” stars Steven Yeun, Alan Kim, Yeri Han, Noel Cho and Youn Yuh-jung as members of the KoreanAmerican Yi family who move from California to Arkansas to start a new life during the 1980s. Directed by Lee Issac Chung, the film stars Yeun as Jacob Yi, patriarch of the Yi family and the primary reason for the family’s move to Arkansas. Jacob’s dream is to have a sprawling 50-acre farm and for his children to finally see him succeed at something. However, his wife Monica, played by Yeri Han, is vehemently opposed to moving to Arkansas and, upon arriving at their disheveled new home, does not hesitate to voice her displeasure at their living situation. Their children, David and Anne (played by Alan Kim and Noel Cho), are indifferent to the move, only bothered by their parents’ constant quarrels. After Monica insists that the children must be taken care of while Jacob and her are working at a nearby chicken plant, Monica’s mother Soonja, played by Youn Yuh-jung, begins to live with them after flying from Korea.

David has never seen his grandmother before, and her unorthodox approach to grandparenting makes him wary of her affection. As the film progresses, we witness Jacob’s desire to live his version of the American Dream while facing relationship strains with his wife and financial difficulties, making for a highly emotional but also enjoyable cinematic experience.

All the hardships and struggles that befall the Yi family feel deeply personal, and the viewer feels a connection to these characters due to wonderful performances across the board. Steven Yeun and Yeri Han clearly have great chemistry and both convincingly portray a married couple torn by their opposing beliefs. However, the most underrated performance of the film comes from Youn Yuh-jung as the grandmother. Her relationship with Alan Kim is beautifully articulated in the film and her impish sense of humor makes the film even more enjoyable to watch.

The cinematography from Lachlan Milne is stunningly gorgeous and captures warmth and softness in every frame. I really enjoyed “Minari” as it not only felt stunningly real, but provided valuable insight about the experience of Asian American immigrants in the 1980s. The only real issue I had with the film is that the score by Emile Mosseri seemed underwhelming at times and did not strengthen the scenes that it was featured in. However, the score was not distracting enough to me to be considered a real detriment to the viewing experience.

Even with its criticisms, I fully believe “Minari” is worth the watch.

Minari (4/5) W

worth a watch

+ great performances + visually stunning - underwhelming score

The pandemic has caused a major Broadway shutdown, closing 31 shows and resulting in the loss of many jobs.

As scientists and researchers continue studying the impacts of COVID-19, Broadway executives are working to safely reopen its theaters. Without knowing when theaters may reopen, various companies have adapted to COVID-19 restrictions by holding auditions and even presenting shows via online platforms.

New York City has been hit hard by Broadway’s various closures: according to the Washington Post, its performances bring in more revenue from annual ticket sales than all of the city’s sports teams combined. However, existing show spaces have proved difficult to adapt for current circumstances. Many of Broadway’s theaters deal with inadequate ventilation and cramped dressing rooms, with no way to renovate while also adhering to various shelterin-place orders.

Additionally, the involvement of numerous actors, directors and stagehands in the show business industry complicates the process of finding a compromise for everyone. Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League Trade Association, told The Washington Post that the League had to create 42 task forces to address everyone’s needs, with 20 designated solely for different actors’ and theater workers’ unions.

The Geffen Playhouse, a Los Angelesbased theater company, has opened up virtual theaters where actors perform shows over platforms such as Zoom.

In addition to virtual lobbies, Geffen Playhouse also hires comedians to

Staff Writers

warm up the audience in a pre-show. So far, productions have been successful, attracting audiences from 30 different countries. One show that has attracted a large audience is called “The Present,” which tells the story of Helder Guimarães and his experience with quarantine, grossing over $700,000. Geffen Playhouse also presented a production

JESSICA LIN ART of the play “A Christmas Carol” starring Tony Award-winner Jefferson Mays. The show was performed in an empty theater and filmed on a high tech LED set. Mays played over 50 roles in the production, switching costumes quickly, using different voices, and learning the emotions and movements of the ghost characters he portrays.

Additionally, a portion of ticket sales made were donated to local community theaters.

Another format thespians have used during COVID-19 is the social media app, TikTok. Recently, the theater community, including writers, actors and musicians, gathered together to bring “Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical” to life. Users contributed their own minute-long songs, set designs and scriptwriting notes. When actors from Broadway such as Andrew Barth Feldman and André De Shields got wind of the trend, they decided to get involved and act in the show, De Shields playing Anton E g o and Feldman as Linguini.

After premiering on January 1 and selling 80,000 tickets, the show was able to raise $1 million for the Actors Fund, a charity that raises funds for entertainers and other workers in the theater industry.

“Even though the musical’s production value was relatively low because it was performed on TikTok, it was enjoyable and I would love to see it become a real musical someday. It was amazing to see such a large group of people collaborating on a project like that, especially because most of them did not know each other before meeting online.

Actual celebrities and Broadway actors even noticed “Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical,” which shows how putting heart and creativity into something can pay off,” Senior Rose Lee said.

With Broadway announcing the closure of all of its shows through May of this year, virtual theater and online performances through online formats will mostly like see exponentially-rising popularity in the foreseeable future.

Robots become the new stars of entertainment

Michelle Qiao and Manasa Sriraj

Recently, an unorthodox trend has picked up steam in the entertainment industry: robots, serving as entertainers.

The International Federation of Robots describes entertainment robots as service machines, a wide definition that encompasses everything from drones to toys. Consumer News and Business Channel reported that the market for entertainment robots has grown to an $11.2 billion dollar industry and projects additional expansion of nearly ten percent annually up to 2023. As traditional forms of entertainment face challenges during the pandemic, increasingly advanced robots are now finding new purposes in cooking, companionship and dance.

Entertainment robots have made themselves an integral part of Asian, especially Japanese, showbusiness. As stated by Cable News Network, the Tokyo Robot Restaurant is an extravagant, actionpacked Japanese nighttime robot show—contrary to its name, its main attraction is not food. Following the story of a robot battle, the spectacle involves countless dancers, loud music, complex contraptions and gigantic, colorfullyembellished robots on an elaborate set illuminated by various lasers.

The droids have also taken key roles in amusement and theme parks globally. Gyeongnam

Masan Robot Land is a robot-centered park in South Korea aimed to spark kids’ interest in robotics. The park features rides, learning centers and functional bots completing assorted tasks and entertainment activities, like dancing. In theme parks around the world, including Disneyland, animatronics entertain passing visitors as characters and mascots.

These robots are usually equipped with social skill programming as well as facial identification capabilities.

“Following current trends, robots are likely to be in the future of entertainment.

The novelty intrigues me and I would love to experience entertainment through robots,” Sophomore Tara Chou said.

Robots are also increasingly taking center stage in online media: Boston Dynamics, a robotics company known for

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Staff Writers

innovation, released a music video of “Do You Love Me,” a 1988 song by The Contours, with three of its robots dancing to the tune.

The video, featuring the company’s latest invention Spot the robot dog, has racked up over 25 million views. In Japan, visitors pay $16 to $32 to see a robot half the height of the Statue of Liberty run in place, with accompanying light displays and dramatic music; attendees often express awe at the spectacle, and highly recommend the unorthodox attraction.

On a larger scope, robots can be used to help with medical needs and social skills. In light of the pandemic, media channel Life’s Good is launching a robot to help disinfect surfaces, and an airport in Florida has even enlisted robots to patrol and clean hallways. China, which has been relatively successful at controlling its outbreak domestically, made use of telehealth and robot-staffed hospitals. In addition, robots can help develop social skills by serving as companions. Nao, a 22inch robot created by SoftBank Robotics, features a variety of sensors, cameras and microphones that allow it to effectively communicate through speech recognition in 20 languages.

“As interesting as robots can be, I would rather have human interactions as opposed to automated. However, I can imagine that robots’ abilities will continue to improve and expand, and I foresee that the future of robots in entertainment has lots of potential, ” Senior Bridget Hahn said.

THE CHARGER ACCOUNT

Instagram’s bone trade: Microcosm of our colonial past?

7

LIFESTYLE MoDo Hawaii

Keirah Chen and Natalie Gao

Amidst the vast expanse of online forums, there lies a hidden trade of buying and selling bones—human bones, to be precise. In fact, social media giant Instagram houses a considerable market of skulls and other human remains, with sales totaling almost $57,000 in 2016, according to archaeologists Damien Huffer and Shawn Graham. Avid collectors enjoy the macabre aesthetic of skulls and human remains, which drives consumer demand.

Known as the “red market,” the sale and distribution of human bones is not limited to just Instagram; eBay and Facebook have also found bones for sale on their websites. Originally intended for

NICOLE KIM ART medical purposes only, skull trades on eBay did not require medical licenses to purchase them, which allowed skull-collecting hobbyists to also purchase remains. Like eBay, Facebook has experienced similar increases in skull purchases due to lax enforcement. Sellers have created markets for bones in private groups, in violation with Facebook policies that ban the sale of human bones. In July, three groups were shut down by Facebook. However, other private groups have continued to get by with selling human bones even after new policies were enacted.

The bulk of the bones on sale may have been skulls tracing back to British colonial rule in India, when British doctors stole bones from graves in order to “scientifically” prove racism, as reported

by National Public Radio. Researchers compared the traits of the skulls in attempts to show “biological superiority.”

Now, these same skulls are circulating on the internet, sparking concerns over insensitivity toward histories of both the skulls and communities. Many of the bones on Instagram’s market are carved and painted by sellers in ways that resemble tribal styles of decoration, which critics say appropriates tribal cultures. Vendors usually market the skulls as inspired by decorative styles rather than authentic items, but some archaeologists still see these modifications as disrespectful toward cultural practices that shun public displays of human remains.

“It depends on what the skulls are used for but carving them for economic gain is unethical to me. It boils down to ‘if the dead person knew what you were doing, would they approve?’” Freshman Aralyn Connolly said.

In the past, similar bone trades have led to increased violence toward Native communities in order to obtain the skulls and meet economic demands. In an effort to reconcile with affected communities, museums that display skulls of indigenous populations have repatriated those bones when requested. However, social media sites have not acknowledged these concerns, despite the controversial and violent history behind skull markets.

Archaeologists see this disregard as detracting from combating colonialism,

Staff Writers

while sellers and buyers believe they sufficiently consider questions of sourcing and ethicality and avoid purchasing bones and skulls obtained by illegal means.

Due to an absence of legal guidance, state laws and social media policies have rarely been enforced on bone sales. Even though Louisiana, Georgia and Tennessee restrict the sale of human remains, the rest of the U.S. has no prohibitions against it other than the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)—passed to protect indigenous burial sites and ensure that sacred indigenous remains are returned to descendants.

“A lot of the actual process of collecting the bones is

unclear. We have no idea where the bones are coming from, whether the person consented to their bones being sold or whether the bones were ethically collected,” Junior Yong Ooi said.

To avoid potential legal issues, the sale of human remains was banned on eBay in 2016, causing many buyers to shift to Instagram. Instagram policy also bans trafficking of body parts, but only a few accounts have actually been suspended due to the policy. Ultimately, the lack of legal enforcement has enabled many users to continue purchasing skulls, fueling the ever-growing presence of the red market.

Sneakers go vegan with mushroom leather

Miranda Lu and Michelle Qiao

Late last winter, German sportswear To produce Mylo, mushroom roots giant Adidas announced a new line of are grown over a bed of sawdust for ten vegan shoes made from Mylo, a type of days. The resulting web of fungus is then mushroom leather. An environmentally tanned, dyed and finished similarly to friendly alternative to traditional cow-hide traditional leather. In contrast, cattle leather, Mylo is made from mycelium, a take two to three years to raise and fungus that makes up the fast-growing require a process far more inefficient and root systems of mushrooms. The new inhumane. Bolt Threads describes Mylo sneaker line is part of the company’s larger as durable, “soft, supple, and less harmful initiative to promote sustainable fashion to the planet” than traditional synthetic and will be available for purchase online or animal leather. The mushroom leather and in select stores early this year. holds up similarly to animal hide and feels According to the Environmental natural to the touch. A study done by the Protection Agency, the United States German company ZVNDER showed that alone creates 14 million tons of textile Mylo even has beneficial effects on human waste annually. However, a shift toward skin: it can reduce the severity of athlete’s sustainability is emerging. Business foot and prevent skin irritation for people Insider projects the environmentally with eczema. friendly fashion industry to grow to $150 While the mycelium leather billion in sales within the next few years, sneakers will be a major step in Adidas’s a movement in which Adidas is aiming to environmentally-conscious commitment, become a forerunner. The company has announced a goal of reaching 60 percent recycled materials in all products by the end of this year, with a complete ban on animal products. In the long run, Adidas has pledged to either reach climate neutrality or use 100 percent recycled materials by 2050.

In order to bring BEOMHEE KIM ART their vision to life, Adidas partnered with Bolt Threads, a California-based startup focused on designing highquality eco-friendly materials in order to reduce the environmental impact this is not the first time the brand has of consumer goods. Along with Adidas, the developed climate-friendly footwear. biotech company has also teamed up with In 2015, Adidas collaborated with Lululemon, Stella McCartney and several environmental organization Parley for other leading clothing brands to create and Oceans to create high-performance develop sustainable products with Mylo. sneakers with ocean plastic. Since its

Staff Writers

launch, the Adidas Parley collection has piqued high consumer demand—in 2020, they sold fifteen million pairs of shoes made from ocean waste. A large part of the running sneakers is built with PrimeBlue, the brand’s own recycled textile that contains 50 percent Parley ocean plastic.

Adidas also released their “Our Icons Go Vegan” line last year, which includes vegan versions of their classic sneakers. The sneakers quickly became bestsellers and were praised for their durability, comfort and use of climate-conscious materials.

“Sustainability in the fashion industry is crucial to the environmental protection movement. Even though a single pair of shoes will probably not be able to make a big impact, I would definitely consider buying Adidas’s environmentally friendly shoes over standard ones,” Freshman Kiana Shah said.

With a favorable track record of sales and a growing market, the new line is likely to be received successfully, potentially prompting more brands to follow the trend of sustainable fashion.

In face of the growing urgency of climate change, corporations and consumers alike are recognizing the growing importance of making enviromentally friendly choices.

“Although many view eco-friendly clothing and textiles—such as Mylo, as less valuable or luxurious compared to regular clothing, the spread of sustainable fashion and future advancements in technology could bring about a more open attitude towards sustainability in our everyday lives,” Senior Brian Kim said.

Hannah Moon Opinions Editor

As mochi donuts rise in popularity, their Hawaiian birthplace cannot be forgotten. With special textures and unique flavors, mochi donuts purportedly originate from MoDo Hawaii, a concept shop that boasts chain stores across the country. To figure out if recent hype around MoDo meets expectations, I decided to visit one of the Bay Area’s few Hawaiian mochi donut chains.

As I pulled up to MoDo’s Santa Clara location, I expected the stereotypical storefront—an elaborate presentation of perfectly-shaped and glazed mounds of donuts behind a glass case—but was surprised to see none on display. Instead, I could see the donuts being fried, glazed and placed into stark white paper containers, each employee taking care to not damage the dessert.

Distinct from wheat flour donuts, the treats are made from rice and tapioca flour, resulting in a soft yet chewy texture. MoDo offers flavors ranging from classics such as black sesame to traditional Hawaiian flavors like pandan, a fragrant tropical plant, and lilikoi, a relative of passionfruit.

“Distinct from wheat flour donuts, the treats are made from rice and tapioca flour, resulting in a soft yet chewy texture.”

I visited the shop on a Tuesday, and the flavors of the day were hojicha (a Japanese green tea) and honeydew sugar. Intrigued by all of the unusual flavors available, I asked for a box with all of them and was given a cute little mochi donut pin from the shop.

The donuts were shaped with balls of mochi assembled in a ring that made it easy to tear into little pieces for convenient consumption. I first tried the lilikoi donut, an exotic Hawaiian fruit with an extremely tart flavor, and was pleasantly surprised by how the tartness complimented the donut’s chewy texture. The churro donut tasted like churros in mochi form, and the honeydew sugar donut, coated in a layer of colorful green sugar, perfectly emulated the sweet flavor of honeydew melon. My favorites were the hojicha and the black sesame. The black sesame donut had a rich texture that worked well with the chewiness of the donut, while the hojicha donut possessed a bitter taste that complemented the creamy donut coating. With its fresh take on donuts and a wide array of unconventional flavors, MoDo Hawaii lives up to the fanfare.

MoDo Hawaii (5/5) hitting the sweet spot

g + unique flavors + wide variety of flavors - one location in Santa Clara

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FEBRUARY 3, 2021

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: Sleep “I often take naps right when school gets out or during advisory because I get exhausted from staring at a computer screen for seven hours. I also sleep much later than usual because I have a lot more homework and a shorter amount of time to study compared to middle school. This has impacted my sleeping schedule by making me stay up late to finish all my assignments.”

—Freshman Mykayla Liu

“The quality of my sleep has improved since quarantine began. Since I cannot go outside due to the stay-athome order, I have more time to focus on completing my tasks, and I have been able to manage my time a lot better than before. I nap regularly as it helps me focus on finishing my homework, but only for 20 minutes at a time because anything longer than that makes me tired and unproductive.”

—Sophomore Thy Nguyen

“I am sleeping more during the pandemic and distance learning since I do not have to bike to school anymore.

Because of the convenience of online classes, I only have to wake up around five minutes before class and can easily eat breakfast during first period.”

—Sophomore Isaac Ang

“Compared to before the pandemic, I have been staying up later at night. Previously, I slept at midnight, but now I occasionally stay up until 1 a.m. because of schoolwork. I do not usually nap, but I think it is great for boosting productivity when you are extremely tired.”

—Junior Beaumont Zhang

“I have been getting better sleep lately.

Prior to quarantine, I slept too little, but now I can sleep a lot more because I no longer have to wake up early to get ready and drive to school. In addition, not being able to meet up with other people has given me extra time for napping, which helps boost my energy.”

—Senior Angie Liu

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Quotebox: How have your sleeping habits changed since the start of quarantine?

Compiled by Reagan Liu and Miranda Lu Staff Writers

The dawn of “COVID-somnia” disrupts students’ sleep patterns

Breanna Lu and Miranda Lu

Staff Writers

Recently, neurologists coined the term “COVID-somnia,” referring to the exacerbation of sleep problems such as sleep deprivation and insomnia amidst the current global health crisis. Although some have been able to get more sleep, overall irregularities in sleep patterns have led to various health issues including obesity and high blood pressure.

While staying up late and having difficulty sleeping was common prior to COVID-19, Stanford Medicine reports that quarantine has worsened preexisting sleep issues. Common problems include insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders, both of which involve daytime fatigue and difficulty falling and staying asleep.

Moreover, the Wall Street Journal has stated that teens are staying up later at night and sleeping more during the day.

Furthermore, an increase in technology usage from online learning has negatively affected sleeping, since the blue light found in electronic screens boosts alertness, preventing users from falling asleep, explains Peak Health.

Additionally, according to the Clark Chronicle, teenagers’ use of social media during the pandemic has become a way to cope with boredom. Aside from electronics, social isolation, uncertainty about the future and fear of contracting COVID-19 have also been damaging sleep quality.

“Online learning has negatively affected sleeping, since the blue light found in electronic screens boosts alertness...”

“My sleep schedule has gotten unpredictable during the pandemic because the lack of social interaction

makes me lose motivation and stay up late completing school assignments,” Sophomore Keshav Sethi said.

Getting an adequate amount of sleep is vital to maintaining one’s physical, mental and emotional health—it allows the human body to heal and recharge, leads to better coordination and lowers the risk of heart disease. Sufficient sleep also helps maintain a strong immune system, which is especially important during the pandemic, as it can help decrease the likelihood of contracting COVID-19. The body works to repair itself when resting, which makes eight to 10 hours of sleep, as recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), crucial for teenagers who are in a period of growth and development. An important part of this development relates to the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is responsible for information processing, impulse control, memory, motor function and emotional regulation.

However, in 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 73 percent of high school students did not regularly get a healthy amount of sleep. This can be especially harmful as lack of sleep is associated with poor mental health. Harvard Health Publishing reports that 69 percent of teenagers with depression and 27 percent with anxiety experience sleep problems. Moreover, the National Sleep Foundation, a nonprofit organization centered around sleep education, explains that sleep deprivation is linked to stress and impulsive behavior in addition to being associated with health problems like obesity, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. For students, bad grades and a short attention span are all consequences of insufficient sleep, the Los Angeles Times notes.

As a result of widespread sleep deprivation among teens, many have expressed support for organizations focused on improving students’ quality of sleep. From 2016 to 2017, a study conducted by the University of Washington and the Salk Institute found that when the school start time was pushed back by nearly an hour in two Seattle high schools, student grade averages improved by 4.5 percent.

“In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 73 percent of high school students did not regularly get a healthy amount of sleep.”

In 2019, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 328, which requires high schools in the state to start school no earlier than 8:30 a.m., and school districts will have until the 2022 school year to modify their bell schedules. Furthermore, AASM, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Parent Teacher Association and American Medical Association, among other organizations, have endorsed the prospect of instituting a national school start time of 8:30 a.m. or later.

“Organizations like these are extremely important to the health of teens. Implementing changes such as later school start times or restrictions on the amount of homework assigned could allow students to get a few extra hours of sleep, improve focus and increase productivity during the day,” Sophomore Ellie Kim said.

Aside from efforts to make school start later, sleep-related problems can be diminished by establishing a consistent

daily schedule. Maintaining a fixed, appropriate bedtime, limiting exposure to electronic devices in the evening and doing a relaxing activity for 15 minutes before going to bed, are recommended by the University of Michigan’s Department of Psychiatry.

Additionally, some have turned to nap-taking as a solution for sleep deprivation and daytime fatigue.

According to WebMD, naps can regulate emotions, increase energy and improve brain function. However, napping may also cause individuals to feel disoriented and tired after waking up. The Washington Post writes that nap-taking has increased during the pandemic due to stress-related tiredness, which can lead to difficulty falling asleep at night.

“I nap during advisory and after school, and have definitely taken more naps during online school than inperson because distance learning is more draining. Napping really affects my sleep schedule, as I now go to sleep at 3 or 4 a.m. and then have no energy throughout the day,” Freshman Ayla Monserate said.

“Sleep-related problems can be diminished by...[m]aintaining a fixed, appropriate bedtime, [and] limiting exposure to electronic devices...”

Sleep issues continue to plague teens during the pandemic, but hope remains. Working towards better routine management and advocating for change regarding major factors of sleep deprivation are among the various actions that people can take to address the problem. These not only alleviate concerns surrounding sleep, but also help students become healthier individuals.

THE CHARGER ACCOUNT

11

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: Careers

The decline of career-oriented high school curricula Breanna Lu and Norah Shen Staff Writers

Financial Literacy

Research

Breanna Lu, Manasa Sriraj and Matt Wang Staff Writers and Sports Editor

Seeking real-world experience within their career interests, many high school students have begun pursuing internships—positions catered specifically to provide people with hands-on involvement in the workplace.

These jobs are extremely diverse, with opportunities ranging from interacting with engineers at Google to training with a United States Secret Service agent.

Since companies need a wide range of employees, they hire a multitude of interns for different teams. Corporations are also becoming more open to accepting high school students as interns.

According to the National Broadcasting Company, a 2014 survey by Millennial Branding and Internships.com showed that 77 percent of high schoolers were interested in gaining work experience.

In response, 50 percent of the employers surveyed offered high school internships. Students can browse the internet to find these opportunities with recruitment tools like Tallo and Indeed.

Senior Toby Worledge did just that when he landed an internship with Quantum Thought, an artificial intelligence and quantum computing company. Collaborating with a team, he helped to determine which computer systems were best fit for certain tasks, such as cybersecurity or COVID-19 contact tracing.

“I was not very familiar with the company’s programs or systems, so working there tested my ability to figure problems out on my own, which will be very useful in the future,” Worledge said.

Though many internships, like Worledge’s, are offered by corporations, students can also intern with government officials to gain real-world experience in politics. Hoping to enter the political field in the future, Junior Varun Singhvi took on a job with District 10 Councilmember Matt Mahan.

Singhvi created visual displays to help keep track of key dates and deadlines on the San Jose policy calendar.

“I have gained a lot of knowledge in how politicians connect with their constituents, what goes into crafting policies and the different roles within our government,” Singhvi said.

Through constructing a resumé, attending an interview and collaborating with a team, internships give students valuable experience and insight into potential career paths. However, they are not the only way students can take to prepare for the real world. The school offers the Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone program, which is split up between two one-year classes: Seminar and Research. Seminar students present analysis of existing research through papers and presentations; Research students conduct novel research on a topic of their choice. For instance,

Internships

Senior Madison Phan, a current AP Research student, is exploring the effects of social media on young adults’ political leanings.

“Since I have always loved learning about politics, I looked into issues within the subject. I also want to know more about the reasoning behind people’s behaviors on social media, so I combined my two interests to develop my research project,” Phan said.

Those in AP Research are expected to contact and regularly work with expert advisors, often college professors, who help guide students’ studies.

“Capstone has not only taught me how to communicate with professionals, but also how to organize my ideas and map out large projects,” Phan said.

The skills gained at internships or the Capstone program may augment one’s resumé or college application, but the experience will help to prepare students for their futures outside of the school’s halls.

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Immersion in internships

school also mandates seniors to take at least the Regular Economics course, which teaches students about financial management and budgeting.

“In economics, we have learned about scarcity, opportunity costs, credit scores and how to weigh benefits and drawbacks of a financial choice.

It is a very helpful course for many different careers because the concept of economics is present in nearly every aspect of life, not just in the financial world. This class is more relevant to the real world than other classes I have taken because I can see myself directly applying what I learn in the future,” Senior Samantha Chiotellis said.

To combat the lack of careerpreparedness on a wider scale, some schools have incorporated work-based learning programs, which provide students with handson career experiences through job shadowing, career mentorship, interviews and workplace tours. Various organizations, such as the Career Leadership Awareness Forum (CLAF), have established connections with corporations to help expose students to the workplace. 83Degree reports that, in 2019, when the CLAF partnered with Duke Energy, an American electric company, employees from the company educated students about the energy industry and provided 150 paid internships for students over the summer.

High school nurtures skills important for academic success, but also need to focus on preparing students for the real world. Recognizing the growing number of unemployed youth, some schools now incorporate more realworld applications of academic skills through improved curriculum.

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In high school, teenagers are expected to learn skills that will benefit them in college, future careers and life beyond the classroom. However, Public School Reviews claims that, while high school curricula emphasize academics, they inadequately prepare students for the real world and the workplace.

Forbes reports that only five percent of adults in the U.S. believe high school graduates are prepared for success. Many students have no work experience by the time they graduate high school—in 2019, only 19 percent of 15- to 17-year-olds reported having a summer job. As the value of work is decreasing, the majority of students have shifted to place more emphasis on homework, extracurriculars and volunteering instead.

students in developing work habits as well as Business Internships, which provided juniors and seniors the opportunity to intern in their preferred career. However, these programs are not offered at the school anymore.

Curriculum changes have been influenced by the fact that taking on a job is less prevalent among high school students today. A study by the Pew Research Center in 2019 found that the percentage of 15- to 17-year-old students working decreased by 29 percent from 1968 to 2018. Even students who are enrolled in postsecondary education only have a 60 percent chance of finding a job within six years after graduating from college.

The rise of unemployment among 18- to 24-year-olds also burdens the U.S. economy—jobless young adults will spend less money on businesses, struggle to become financially independent and require increased amounts of government assistance, ultimately placing a burden on taxpayers. Opportunity Nation states that, on average, $25 billion is lost annually due to uncollected taxes from unemployed youth, and adult taxpayers need to pay a combined $93 billion extra to make up for it.

However, schools are not completely to blame for the lack of career-preparation. Education Week attests that many employers often fail to communicate with schools about job skills that should be taught.

To help prepare students for future careers, the school has collaborated with the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education, which develops students’ technical skills, such as technology troubleshooting. The

IVA

REAL WORLD

According to The Daily American, high school courses are centered around standardized tests. Most core subjects, including math, language arts, science, history and foreign languages, follow a curriculum that emphasizes lectures and examinations. Due to this rigid learning system, students are able to adapt efficient methods of organization and memorization.

However, many believe that high schools fail to teach interpersonal skills, work-life balance and self-awareness.

Education Week explains that many non-academic skills that are an essential part of adulthood— such as building relationships, regulating emotions and developing a growth mindset—are not prioritized despite their significant role in ensuring success in the workplace. In addition to not teaching professional skills, high schools generally forgo exposure to the workplace for students. However, many employers look for prior work experience when hiring.

“In English class this year, I enjoyed learning about important aspects of our future such as affording college tuition.

I wish that the school could teach more about different types of careers so we can get a better sense of how we might apply what we learn to our future jobs,” Senior Eugene Hong said.

High school curriculum has not always been as academically-centered as it is today. At the school, class offerings have previously included career-preparation courses.

From 2013 to 2014, the school offered Work Experience Education, which assisted

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FEBRUARY 3, 2021 APRIL 29, 2015

FEATURE: WORLD

Elon Musk draws attention towards carbon capture

Countries rethink LGBTQ+ blood donation restrictions Raymond Dai and Michelle Qiao Staff Writers

EVELYN LIU ART

these restrictions lifted, it would be easier for patients in need of blood donations to receive the assistance they need to survive,” Freshman Hailey Tan said.

Some countries have followed suit in relaxing regulations. A group of over 500 doctors in the U.S. called for eliminating the three-month deferral period in the name of scientifically safe standards and promoting equity in blood donation. Consequently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched a pilot study collaborating with LGBTQ+

community centers and three of the largest blood donation centers in the United States to examine the merits of loosening restrictions.

“As long as there is no medically valid reason to prevent members of the LGBTQ+ community from donating blood in these troubling times, countries like France, the U.S. and Germany should lower restrictions on blood donations. Not only are the policies discriminatory, but their removal would also contribute to replenishing the global blood supply,” Senior Dheerj Jasuja said.

France has also lifted its ban on blood donations by gay and bisexual men. Men who have not been sexually active with other men can donate blood. Gay men who have only had one partner for four months or have not been sexually active may donate plasma. Similarly, the Netherlands lifted its ban with a 12 month deferral period, and New Zealand cut its celibacy period for gay and bisexual men from one year to three months. In contrast, nations such as Austria, Belgium and Germany still have lifetime bans.

Activists have campaigned for policy reforms for years. Ethan Spibey, founder of the British activist group FreedomToDonate, stated that the change is a significant shift towards recognizing people for their humanity instead of their sexuality. Although many countries continue to enforce bans or restrictions on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, demands to lift such laws have arisen and may push these nations to institute more changes as the coronavirus pandemic continues on.

Qatar rejoins the Arab world with embargo lifted Natalie Gao and Pavana Upadhyaya Staff Writers

RT

with Saudi Arabia, according to Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). Saudi Arabia has bought upwards of $100 billion worth of arms from the U.S., while the U.S. has a major military base on Qatar. Thus, easing tensions may have a mutual benefit for all countries involved while also unifying a divided region.

Qatar was left relatively unscathed, with the country’s economy barely impacted by the embargo, IN A

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain have followed Saudi Arabia’s lead in lifting embargoes on Qatar with mediation from the U.S. and Kuwait. In June 2017, all four countries cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, which included restricting airspace, closing land borders and refusing to allow Qatari ships to dock at domestic ports.

The four gulf states initiated these sanctions after demanding Qatar end its alleged financial support of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which Qatar denies, according to British Broadcasting Corporation. The countries then released a total list of 13 conditions to end the blockade on Doha, including shutting down Al Jazeera, a newspaper historically critical towards Saudi Arabia, and ending relations with gulf state adversaries Iran and Turkey. In the end, Qatar signed an agreement to restore cooperation with the other nations at the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit (GCC) on Jan. 5 after several years of restrictions.

“The U.S. brokering and ending the embargo on Qatar was a good idea because Qatar is key to U.S. dominance in the Middle East, allowing Americans to access the gulf coasts and to establish military bases and oil extraction fields, increasing American hegemony in the region,” Junior Conner Shih said.

Mending relations with Qatar may have been a way for Saudi Arabia to remedy affairs with the Biden administration, especially when President Joe Biden is aiming to reconsider relations

AL

School News Editor

Elon Musk recently garnered attention for a Twitter post offering 100 million dollars towards a prize for the best carbon capture technology—just one example of increasing attention and money flowing into the search for technological solutions to the looming threat of climate change.

Many Twitter users were quick to make sarcastic remarks urging the billionaire to plant more trees. While trees do have some conservational effects, they alone are not enough to solve the problem of carbon emissions. The American Forests Organization explains that forests act as “carbon sinks,” since they usually absorb more carbon than they release.

However, trees only temporarily store carbon—deforestation, forest fires and decomposition can all release the stockpiled carbon back into the atmosphere. In addition, there is not enough room on the earth’s surface to store the vast amount of carbon humans have extracted from the earth’s crust. Thus, more advanced technology is necessary to send the carbon back underground.

Carbon capture is the process of sequestering waste carbon dioxide and depositing it where it will not enter the atmosphere. It is most effective at sources of emission such as fossil fuel power plants. For instance, LanzaTech has developed technology that uses bacteria to eat gas emissions and ferment them into ethanol, which can then be turned into jet or car fuel. Capturing directly from the atmosphere is also possible, although with more difficulty due to the lower concentration of carbon dioxide compared to power plant pipelines. Climeworks, a Swiss startup, filters out carbon dioxide from the air, storing it or selling it for other uses, including fertilizer and bubbles found in carbonated drinks. Unfortunately, both on-site carbon capture and direct air removal are not yet ready for large scale implementation due to high upfront costs.

Many countries have passed legislation enforcing net-zero carbon emission goals: Sweden by 2045, the U.K. and France by 2050. Carbon capture will undoubtedly play a significant role in achieving these ambitious goals. In the U.S., President Joe Biden has pledged to accelerate the development of carbon capture technology as part of his plan to tackle climate change. He appointed carbon removal technologies expert Jennifer Wilcox as the principal deputy assistant secretary for fossil energy at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Carbon capture is just one of many ways to reduce the carbon footprint.

Sustainable forms of transportation and agriculture, renewable energy and industrial reforms are all necessary steps. As the general public, government agencies and the private sector all collaborate, we will hopefully devise even better methods to mitigate the climate crisis.

“Other countries should follow the lead of the U.K. and lower the waiting time for bisexual and gay men because there are many who might be suffering from blood loss during the pandemic. With

SIC

Jonathan Yue

In what some activists see as a long-overdue move, the U.K. announced in December 2020 that it would revise blood donation restrictions for gay and bisexual men. While the move will be implemented this upcoming summer, the restrictions— founded on concerns of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission—originally required gay and bisexual donors to abstain from sex for three months before donating blood.

Blood donation restrictions were originally imposed in the 1980s during the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic over fears of spreading HIV, a permanent disease that can be transmitted through sexual activity and bodily fluids such as blood.

However, instances of HIV have become rarer, and screening has drastically improved. Even before the most recent announcement, the U.K. lowered the abstention time frame for gay and bisexual men from one year to three months.

These decisions come after The New York Times reported that the British National Health Service (NHS) needed more young men to donate blood in response to a gender disparity among donors. Furthermore, because of the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of community blood drives were canceled, causing global blood supplies to run short. In the U.S alone, The New York Times found that the country was falling short by over one million blood donations.

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according to CBS. The blockade allowed further development of local food suppliers in Qatar, bolstering its industry to better compete with the rest of the Gulf market. Moreover, accumulated wealth and natural gas reserves mitigated any serious impacts the embargo may have had. Instead, the restrictions brought Qatar closer to Iran and Turkey. The two

countries increased trade with Qatar at the beginning of the blockade, easing economic ramifications and allowing Qatar to increase its military power. Even as a small peninsula nation, Qatar has established itself as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, as its strengthening relations with Iran could prove valuable for U.S. diplomacy while the Biden administration tries to rebuild relations “Even after ending restrictions, Doha’s neighbors will probably still be suspicious because the U.S. and Kuwait brokered the agreement and they were not as directly involved in the issue. There will still be tensions between countries and distrust in trade, so I am not sure of the extent to which lifting the Qatar embargo will remediate Middle East relations,” Junior Audrey Wu said.

Despite possible successes, the ending of the blockade is not an ultimate resolution to Middle East tensions. Many see it as a step toward future peace in the region, but conflicts still remain as Qatar tries to strike a delicate balance between the U.S., its gulf neighbors, Turkey and Iran. For example, Qatar has accused Bahrain of violating its airspace, escalating tensions between the two countries.

While relations have simmered between the countries involved, in the case of conflict, Qatar will have to choose a side. The GCC agreement was a start, but the world must wait to see if the Arab countries will be able to mend and strengthen relationships with Qatar.

THE CHARGER ACCOUNT

13

FEATURE: WORLD

Forest conservation efforts branch to outer space

Breanna Lu and Manasa Sriraj

Deforestation has been a major contributor to carbon emissions, loss of animal habitats, land erosion and flash flooding due to increasing global industrialization over the past century.

According to National Geographic, forests are disappearing at a rapid rate—losing roughly 1.3 million square kilometers of forest from 1990 to 2016.

Starting in 2016, a NASA Landsat satellite imagery and a tree loss alert program were used to detect and reduce deforestation in countries including Cameroon, Indonesia and Colombia. The two-part Landsat program was designed and implemented by the Global Analysis and Discovery (GLAD), a geographical science laboratory at the University of Maryland that studies the effects of land change on the environment.

Researchers at GLAD explore land cover changes using Earth observation imagery to complete mapping and croplandmonitoring projects in South America and investigate land use change in Asia.

GLAD has also worked on US government initiatives such as SilvaCarbon, which provides technical help to countries that are developing land monitoring programs.

“It is important to reduce deforestation because forests play a big role in ecosystems and produce oxygen. As the GLAD satellite system continues to improve and adapt, it will hopefully be adopted by more

Staff Writers

countries with increasing accessibility and effectiveness,” Sophomore Amanda Bui said.

Through the GLAD deforestation program, NASA Landsat satellites take frequent high-resolution images of forest areas. After the images are collected, artificial intelligence compares them to previous photographs to pinpoint where trees are disappearing.

Then, the GLAD alert system flags tree loss and delivers automated notifications to the Global Forest Watch (GFW), an online platform that houses forest-monitoring data. To receive customizable and realtime alerts, anyone, including government officials and ordinary citizens, can subscribe, free of charge, to the GLAD program on GFW. Subscribers will receive the notifications, along with 30 meter resolution satellite imagery, of the disturbed forest area. Aside from the warnings, subscribers also receive weekly emails that indicate areas with deforestation and where it is likely to occur.

So far, the GLAD program has been a success in Sub-Saharan Africa. Two years after its introduction, nine African countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic saw an 18 percent decrease in deforestation, as reported by the Good News Network. Subsequent drops in carbon emissions saved African countries

from $149 million to $696 million, says Space.com. Fanny Moffette, who published research on the impact of the GLAD deforestation alerts, found that a drop in deforestation only occurred in areas where environmental protection organizations subscribed to the GLAD alerts. However, in South Africa and Asia, where organizations also subscribed to receive warnings, deforestation did not decrease. According to Moffette, this was because of confounding factors like political disruption or economic turmoil that took precedence over efforts to curb illegal forest clearings.

“It is important to educate people about environmental protection resources and increase government funding for nature conservation programs like GLAD. Aside from deforestation, satellite images can also be used to detect forest fires in their beginning stages so that they can be contained before destroying habitats and nature,” Sophomore Raena Imtiaz said.

According to Yale Environment 360, an online magazine that focuses on remediating global environmental issues— high-resolution satellite images can be used to detect illegal mining, monitor wildlife population and determine the percentage of biomass in various

terrains, which enhances animal and land conservation efforts. Additionally, satellite alerts can monitor illegal fishing and regulation of water supplies. Furthermore, satellite images show detailed crop yields, which helps farmers decide which crops require more care.

According to the GFW, important raw materials like wood primarily come from tropical forests. These forests are often destroyed on a large scale to make space for the production of other commodities, such as soybeans, beef and palm oil. In fact, acquiring commodities is responsible for 40 percent of deforestation worldwide. In the long term, deforestation risks the extinction of endangered species, the destruction of biodiversity and the collapse of food chains while also contributing to global warming as trees act as a major carbon sink.

GLAD is one of many environmental protection programs, and as technology advances, there will likely be further efforts to preserve and sustain nature.

The program’s success in Africa may also bring awareness to growing environmental concerns and increase support for organizations that work towards the preservation of nature worldwide.

JESSICA LIN ART

India’s cow science exams encroach on securalism Raymond Dai and Natalie Gao move. Priyank Kharge, a member of the Indian National Congress Party, claimed that the BJP has ignored far more pressing

concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic to instead explore “cow science.” Sujatro

Ghosh, a photographer and local activist, called the exam “a tool to divide people” and manufacture distrust.

“Even as a Hindu, I believe creating this exam for an entire nation with people of many religions is Modi’s attempt to promote Hindu nationalism. There is a fine line between church and state that should not be crossed” Sophomore Kimaya Saijpal said.

This rise of religious nationalism aligns with Modi’s 2014 election campaign where he promised to end the killing of cows in India and threatened violence against people who disrespected cows. Since Prime Minister Modi and the BJP rose to dominance, cow protection laws have been established as part of a larger wave of Hindu nationalist legislation to promote Hinduism, like the criminalization of killing cows and eating beef. These laws have emboldened people to attack communities who traditionally

Staff Writers

eat beef, such as Muslims and low-caste Hindus, without repercussions, according to Cable News Network.

Although India is an officially secular and culturally diverse state, the Modi administration has taken several other steps to promote Hindu nationalism. Al Jazeera reports that the BJP-controlled state of Karnataka strengthened its cow protection law to allow police to search and arrest anyone suspected of cow slaughter without a warrant. In 2019, the Indian Compiled by Parliament Hannah passed Moon the Citizenship Amendment Act, Staff Writer which allows for a quicker citizenship process for religious minorities except for Muslisms, and political leaders have also repealed the autonomy of Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region in India, which caused massive protests in the region.

“Modi using this exam to educate people on the religious significance of the cow clearly shows he is pushing Hindu beliefs into the forefront while still claiming to be the leader of a ‘secular’ nation.

India is very culturally diverse, with people following Islam, Sikhism, Christianity and Buddhism, but India does not conduct studies on anything these religions hold dear. Modi is choosing to make Hinduism outshine the other religions, which could increase tensions between different minority groups,” Freshman Imran Shaikh said.

NICOLE K IM ART

On Feb. 25, India will hold a nationwide optional hour-long online “cow science” exam open to children, adults and foreigners as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push towards Hindu nationalism. Despite sparking opposition from those who see the move as an erosion of India’s secularism, the test will consist of 100 multiplechoice questions regarding different cow breeds and their religious and medical significance.

The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA), an agency for the protection of cows under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying encourages people to take the test and educate themselves about cows, going as far as to offer certificates and prizes for all who take the exam.

They will be distributed in Hindi, English and twelve other languages, with the Modi government also investing millions of dollars in cow protection programs and research.

However, study guides include claims like slaughtering cows can cause earthquakes and drinking cow urine benefits overall health, leading to questions regarding the reliability of the exams.

Opponents of Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have criticized the

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FEBRUARY 3, 2021

FEATURE: SCHOOL Battling life struggles with jiu-jitsu

Cindy Zhao Lifestyle Editor

“Fall down seven times and stand up eight” goes an old Japanese proverb, and that is exactly what Neil Hamilton, Visual Performing Arts Department, committed to in his martial arts journey.

Jiu-jitsu is a form of unarmed self defense that focuses on throws, locks and grappling. It originated in Japan during the Nara period, and quickly spread to Brazil.

“[Jiu-jitsu] forces me to let go of my ego and realize that my opponent is actually helping me to be better.”

“My dad was in the military, and he started putting me in classes for self-defense. It was easy for him to drop me off at the children’s programs, and I became increasingly interested in activities like judo and karate,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton did not take his training seriously until the fifth grade, when he was in a fight with a few high school students and ended up with broken collarbones. From that moment on, martial arts was no longer a hobby he indulged in once or twice a week, but an activity he practiced regularly until he was 20 years old.

Hamilton also studied Japanese swordsmanship in Japan, but he eventually left his academy due to the lack of cultural understanding he felt—there was too much pressure from elders to adhere to Japanese cultural norms—and he found a place in the U.S. that specialized in jiu-jitsu.

“Life is about being knocked down and having the ability to get back up and address what held you down, no matter what it is.”

The art of jiu-jitsu centers on being in the moment. Like meditation, it requires deep focus. This can be difficult, but it reveals weakness and teaches respect.

“It forces me to let go of my ego and realize that my opponent is actually helping me to become better. If I do not respect that person, then I have nobody to practice with,” Hamilton said.

Training in martial arts allowed Hamilton to cultivate discipline from the rigid structure of the activity.

Additionally, Hamilton recommends students to find a passion that is both satisfying and challenging. Of the several life lessons he has learned from it, martial arts training has taught him to only compare himself with his past self—not others.

“Life is about being knocked down and having the ability to get back up and address what held you down, no matter what it is,” Hamilton said.

Singers showcase their talents over Instagram

Reagan Liu and Pavana Upadhyaya

Staff Writers

Students at the school are using and play instruments. As a result, they improve my Instagram, not only as a way to post have been uploading and creating music breath control pictures, but as a way to showcase their more often than before. and enhancing musical talents. Seniors Sarah Brew, “I sing all the time for fun, but I only other skills,” Audrey Chiang, William Choi and Megan started considering it a hobby during my Chiang said.

Lee, for example, have created Instagram junior year. I created my Instagram music As of accounts to post covers of songs, as well account over quarantine, mainly for now, all of the as original pieces. Especially during the my own entertainment and joy. students do COVID-19 pandemic, students gravitated I started singing much more not intend Courtesy of Audrey Chiang towards singing on social media as a way recently, and I want to get to pursue to interact with friends while still following something out of the pandemic a career in music and are only singing safety precautions. rather than just being as a hobby. Instead of focusing on In order to share his music with unproductive,” Choi said. increasing their follower count or friends during quarantine, Choi created an Not only do the obtaining a music career, they Instagram account (@williamchoi_music) students post covers, but view singing as a way to have where he posts videos of himself singing they also write their own fun, alleviate stress and present and playing the guitar. Likewise, Chiang songs. For instance, their talents to their friends, made an account (@audreyy.zoe) for Chiang has followers and family. singing last year to share her hobby with been writing In addition to utilizing her followers. her own Instagram, the singers have used Additionally, Brew (@brewstunes) music since other social media platforms. For JONATHAN MORRIS PHOTO and Lee (@do.re.megan) created their her freshman example, Chiang currently has 20 Instagram accounts after COVID-19 year. Additionally, for c o v e r s posted on YouTube. Similarly, Lee canceled their performance at a collaboration with sings on TikTok and is working on songs the school’s annual talent show.

Senior Ryan Kang, to post on YouTube and Spotify. Although Especially since Brew Choi helped Brew has only used Instagram for singing, and Lee are close edit the song she is open to branching out to other friends, they Kang wrote and online platforms in the future. often work published it with “I initially only disclosed my singing together on him on Spotify. Lee account to my close friends because I was various songs. DIANA YOUSEF NEJAD PHOTO also enjoys writing worried about having a public singing Due to original music, but she account. However, as I become more all her school has not posted any of them onto social comfortable with sharing my videos, I plan work and college media yet. on utilizing other platforms like TikTok, applications, Chiang Even though the four seniors Spotify and YouTube,” Brew said. explains that she was enjoy singing, they have never received The seniors are utilizing social media not very motivated to professional lessons before and taught as a medium to exhibit their talents and post on her account for themselves independently. pursue their hobbies. Especially since a while. In contrast, for “I have not had any formal singing they have a passion for music, they hope AUDREY LUI PHOTO Brew, Choi and Lee, lessons. For the past few years, I have to continue uploading singing videos onto the sudden increase in free time due to learned how to sing by mimicking the their accounts and writing original songs quarantine served as a motivation to sing way professionals perform, trying to in the future.

Left to right: Seniors Megan Lee, Sarah Brew, William Choi and Audrey Chiang improve their singing by practicing independently.

Cultural instruments connect students with their heritage Norah Shen and Pavana Upadhyaya Instead of learning how to play common instruments like the violin, piano and guitar, many students at the school are practicing instruments specific to their culture. Although they are less commonly played in orchestras or bands, they are frequently utilized for traditional pieces.

Senior Angie Liu, for instance, plays the pipa—a pear-shaped wooden lute made up of four strings that was invented in China during the second century.

Liu began playing the pipa nine years ago in a summer program with the California Youth Chinese Symphony (CYCS). She was inspired to learn when she saw pipa players utilizing fake nails to minimize nail damage as they rapidly plucked the strings.

In addition to playing the pipa for CYCS, Liu participates in numerous solo competitions and music examinations. For example, she has won a gold medal at the international Huain Cup and has successfully completed all 10 levels of the Chinese Central

REX LI PHOTO Senior

Angie

Liu

practices

the

Staff Writers

Conservatory of Music examinations. Liu Korean School and at other events with seeks to play the instrument competitively Nahnoom, an organization that collects because she enjoys the feeling of donations through benefit concerts. uniqueness when performing.

Moreover, she competed in the Additionally, learning about Seventh Annual Korean Traditional the pipa has helped Liu Music and Arts Competition during better connect to her Chinese her sophomore year. culture despite growing up Since Kang and Liu enhanced in America. their hand-eye coordination and “I felt detached developed perfect pitch by from China because playing the gayageum my Mandarin and pipa, they reading and writing are limited. By playing the pipa, I learned more about Chinese Courtesy of Irene Kang culture, and I am able to Junior Irene Kang performs the gayageum at a competition. have deeper conversations with teachers who are hope the school will offer opportunities to masters at the instrument,” Liu said. learn these instruments on campus.

Similar to Liu, Junior Irene “Schools should teach about Kang also plays a traditional instruments from all over the world so instrument: the gayageum. This students can be more knowledgeable and 12-stringed Korean sound box dates back have exposure to different cultures. In to the sixth century. addition, students should be encouraged to Kang was first introduced to the perform music from their home country,” gayageum three years ago and began Kang said. playing it because of its similarities to Liu also thinks it would be interesting the harp—an instrument that Kang had to have a joint concert at the school wanted to play in the past. Outside of involving various cultural instruments. private lessons, Kang performs in many Even though the gayageum and concerts and cultural fairs with Urisawe, a pipa are not as widespread as other Korean Culture Center. instruments, Liu and Kang appreciate the Furthermore, she has played benefits of playing their instruments. Not several times under the National only have they learned technical skills, but Unification Advisory Council, they have also obtained the opportunity of at a fundraiser with the Sejong better connecting with their heritage. pipa

to

prepare

for

her

competitions

and

symphony

rehearsals.

15

THE CHARGER ACCOUNT

SPORTS

NFL institutes Rooney Rule to diversify league staff Dhruv Anish and Raymond Dai Staff Writers

The lack of diversity among coaching staff in the National Football League (NFL) has long been criticized, with only seven minority personnel being hired to fill 31 available NFL staff positions during the 2020 offseason. In hopes of combatting this issue, the NFL has since expanded the Rooney Rule—a regulation first introduced in 2003 that requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate while filling head coach vacancies. Due to recent changes to the Rooney Rule, NFL teams are now obligated to consider at least two minority candidates for the positions of general manager, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and other front office positions. Additionally,

“In a perfect world, a candidate’s skin color would not even need to be taken into consideration.” teams that trade away a minority coach or coordinator receive additional picks in each of the following two drafts.

“In a perfect world, a candidate’s skin color would not even need to be taken into consideration, but due to the lack of minority coaches, I can see why it is appropriate. I wish that there was no need for the Rooney Rule, but undoubtedly, diversity in the NFL should be addressed,” Junior Aidan Cain said.

The Rooney Rule has recently gained increased attention as former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was hired as the NFL’s first Muslim head coach, taking the position with the New York Jets. With an extensive resume serving as a defensive assistant for the Houston Texans, winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 and

Ashley Lee and Larry Ye

coaching linebackers for the Jacksonville Jaguars before becoming the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Saleh has been a standout throughout his coaching career, but especially with the 49ers. Prior to Saleh’s arrival, the 49ers ranked dead last in total defensive rankings across the NFL according to Pro Football Reference. By carefully working with head coach Kyle Shannahan, Saleh was able to improve the team’s defense to eighth in 2019, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance.

His success lead to several organizations seeking him out for head coaching jobs.

Ultimately, Saleh decided to sign with the Jets in hopes of leading them towards a winning record. As an incentive to continue hiring minority staff, the Rule granted the 49ers thirdround picks in the following two drafts due to losing Saleh to an opposing team.

“Saleh showed that the new generation of NFL coaches, no matter their ethnic background, can find success as long as they are given a chance. The Rooney Rule is a great way to provide them with these opportunities,” Junior Jad Khayata said However, the NFL has had problems ensuring the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule. Just because teams are required to consider at least two minority candidates for coaching positions does not mean the rule forces them to consider all applicants fairly. FiveThirtyEight reports that only one out of five hired head coaches in

2019 was nonwhite and had replaced a white coach, leading to minimal increase in minority representation. Following these reports, many in the sports community have criticized the NFL for not guaranteeing that every applicant will have an equitable chance at securing a position. To fix this, some have proposed

sports coming under more scrutiny, other leagues have implemented regulations similar to the Rooney Rule. Major League Baseball has introduced the “Selig Rule,” requiring teams to interview at least one minority candidate for every managerial or front office opening. While these rules have not yet been adopted in all

JESSICA LIN ART

that the NFL monitor interviews to ensure that each candidate receives the same treatment. Additionally, they suggest that the NFL could establish a quota for the allotted time a team is allowed to spend pursuing each candidate to ensure that everyone has an equal chance. With minority representation in professional

professional leagues, they have the potential to encourage diversity in sports management. By granting teams with minority coaches incentives, the NFL and its organizations can open the doors for more minority coaches to be hired in the future.

Rods and reels: Students take up fishing Community News and Feature School Editor and Staff Writer

photography class. In order to make higher quality posts for my followers, I had to teach myself how to weave together clips and edit videos,” Fong said.

other friends along with him. Although Tran is now an experienced fisher, he had difficulties as a beginner. Once, he bought the wrong type of bait, so he was unable to catch fish for over a month. Now a more seasoned fisherman, he advises aspiring fishers to do their J UN AN research first so they buy the KE PH correct type of bait before going out to fish.

“I enjoy fishing because I am able to travel to different locations and catch new types of fish. Waiting for fish to bite while listening to the sounds of nature is also really peaceful,” Tran said.

Even though Tran is currently only involved in recreational fishing, he looks forward to participating in fishing competitions when he has more free time. Fong and Tran both enjoy fishing as a method of destressing. Not only do they like to reel in fish and learn about their catches, but they also appreciate the calming stillness by the water. Whether fishing will remain just a pastime or become a competitive hobby for the two, both Fong and Tran plan to continue fishing well into the future.

O OT

now it is an activity we enjoy together.

Once, my dad and I each hooked some giant bay rays from the wharf in Santa Barbara! They were so big we could barely hold them up. Another memorable time was seeing a Mackerel feeding frenzy in San Diego,” Fong said.

Fong usually fishes two times a week at local parks like Almaden Lake, Chesbro Reservoir or Vasona Reservoir, biking to local spots with his fishing rods strapped to a special rack on the back of his bicycle. During vacations, he also enjoys fishing at saltwater spots like Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay and San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. Although Fong fished on freshwater during his childhood and continues to do so today, he now prefers saltwater fishing because there are more unique species of fish to catch in the ocean.

During quarantine, Fong made a YouTube channel to document his fishing adventures and teach his viewers the fundamentals of fishing.

He posts videos on a variety of topics, ranging from catching sand fleas to making your own fish hooks. He also has an Instagram account where he shares fishing content to better connect with fellow fishers.

“I utilized some of the skills I learned in the school’s

nio

Se

Although sports such as football, basketball and soccer may be among the most popular, the school’s students play a wide variety of other sports that are lesserknown. As a fisherman, Senior Anthony Fong is part of this lesserknown cohort, but still enjoys the sport very JUN AN K E PH OTO much.

When Fong began fishing as a five-year-old, he did not expect it to become a passion. Originally, his intention was to follow in his dad’s footsteps, but Fong now enjoys fishing because it provides him with the opportunity to catch different varieties of fish and improve his various baiting techniques.

“My dad took me to Vasona Lake park where I caught my first fish.

I really enjoyed the experience and

rA nt ho ny

Fon g

cast er s his line into the wat

Similar to Fong, Senior Reese Tran also fishes as a hobby.

Tran began fishing in middle school after his friend, Senior Connor Orth, convinced him to begin the sport. After learning the basics from Orth, Tran began fishing on his own, sometimes bringing family and

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The Future Is Memetic Modern Youth Culture

Quotebox: How do you use memes?

Compiled by Serena Atkinson and Raymond Dai Staff Writers

Freshman Eshan Velidandla

Senior Matthew Lee

Senior Cyris Leonard

RACHEL KIM ART

“Memes are a major part of youth culture; they promote connectivity and relationships. However, they also enforce stereotypes: many memes about unpopular opinions are strongly opposed and the people who made them are put down for their beliefs.

Memes are a source of entertainment for most teenagers, despite their occasional fallbacks.”

“I use memes to communicate something funny that is better expressed in a meme than a text. For example, I would use the “This is fine” meme when I have procrastinated on homework.

Memes are a key part in youth culture because they help us connect with one another and are potential conversation starters.”

“Young people use memes to find common ground in a global internet culture by relating to one another’s feelings as well as to communicate ideas about things that are affecting us today such as mental health issues and politics.

Memes are a fun way for young people to express themselves and make an identity for our generation.”

Teens find meaning in meme-ing Serena Atkinson and Manasa Sriraj

Staff Writers

For many teenagers, a picture of a sad-looking cat or a screenshot from a television show can articulate their feelings far better than words. This is also how such images—or internet memes—become popular: people relate to the image and in turn use the meme themselves, sometimes editing it in the process.

Like many facets of the internet, the nature of memes has changed over time. While earlier memes, such as the Doge, a viral picture of a Shiba Inu, tended to be more lighthearted and absurd, current memes used

by Generation Z often have an undercurrent of dark humor, such as joking about dysfunctional families or mental health.

The latter aspect has caused worry that memes can desensitize people to serious issues. In her graduate thesis, University of Florida student Barbara Sanchez argues that although such memes are mostly satire, people can still become less sensitive to violence and serious topics because the memes portray such issues in a positive light. Similarly, memes have been used to further extremist political agendas. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the originally innocuous meme of cartoon frog Pepe has now become associated with the alt-right after users on the imageboard website 4chan edited it to portray racist and anti-Semitic views.

Memes have also evolved beyond just humor and can now influence teens’ political views. With politics and current affairs often being relatively complicated for teens to follow, memes have become an easily digestible way for them to become aware of significant global issues rather than being bombarded with all the details. A Common Sense survey reports that 54 percent of teens rely on social media as a news source, while only 41 percent get news from news organizations. For example, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) reports that many teenagers found out about Iranian general Qassem Soleimani’s assassination by seeing memes joking about an imminent World War III. Although such memes usually only cover one aspect of an issue, PBS suggests that they can encourage young people to learn more about current events.

“I have seen a lot of news be communicated through memes. I found out about Trump getting impeached for the second time through a meme, and for a while I kept up with COVID-19 statistics by watching a meme video,” Senior Rose Lee said.

Beyond playing a role in teens’ involvement in politics, sharing memes can serve as a positive coping mechanism. According to the New York Times, humor serves as a way for people to cope with things out of their control, such as illness or war; memes can provide both an escape from difficult current events and an outlet to express fears that cannot be easily verbalized. Sheffield Hallam University also found that memes can even help those with mental illnesses like depression, because they encourage people to view their lives through a humorous lens and thus interpret them more positively.

Sharing memes can also develop a sense of community by creating a support network among those who relate to them. Teens are able to make new friends by connecting with their peers through common experiences, like studying or interacting with friends and family members.

“Humor in memes make light of overwhelming realities, giving adolescents confidence that they are surmountable. While dark humor can be very insensitive sometimes, it could effectively help some people process their trauma” Junior Shraya Pal said.

While memes have been used by some to promote controversial beliefs, they are mostly used for lighthearted purposes and shared among friends. Ultimately, as a source of stress relief and fun for Gen-Zers in a fast-paced, digital world, memes mirror society’s transition to an internet-based lifestyle.