LEGAl pad
MEET THE TEAM
BEHIND THIS EDITION
Editors-in-Chief
Jiashuo (Moon) Liu
Sukhmani (Sukhi) Nijjar
Writers
Ashima Yadav
Hannah Estrada
Jiashuo (Moon) Liu
Krystal Ma
Micaela Arauz
Sukhmani (Sukhi) Nijjar
Taylor Dodd
Cover Design
Micaela Arauz
Serena Herrera
Graphic Design
Brissia Matus
Cati Cruz
Micaela Arauz
Serena Herrera
Suzette Hernandez
Taylor Dodd
Photographers
Ashima Yadav
Cati Cruz
Spanish Translation
Brissia Matus
Hannah Estrada
Advisor
Mr. Tadesse
Link: https://tinyurl com/SpanishApr
Link: https://thelawlegalpad com
CALENDAR
Compiled By: Krystal Ma
April
April:
2nd - 5th: SkillsUSA State Competition
3rd: College Panel 4:30-7:00pm 12th: Novice Mock Trial Tournament (9th)
16th: Panoramic Senior Picture 11:05pm 17th: Easter Egg Hunt 4:30-5:30pm (9th)
18th-21st: No School
23rd: Field Day 4:30-6:00pm (9th12th)
25th: College Signing Day 5:307:30pm
May:
May: 1st: Human Geography Review Night (9th) 4:30-5:30pm, Senior Picnic 10:00am-4:00pm May 3rd: Junior Jump (11th) 2:30pm May 10th: Prom (12th) 7:00pm12:00am May 19th: Senior Luncheon 11:00am1:30pm
May 23rd: Last Day of School
May 31st: Senior Graduation 9:00am
EDITOR’S NOTE
Here at The Legal Pad, we like to have some fun, to change things up sometimes! So, this April 1st, instead of pranking you that we ’ re getting sued by Sony, we decided to have some harmless fun!
As the year comes to an end, stress levels start to rise (aside from the seniors–we stopped caring after Spring Break), so we wanted to give you all 46 minutes (the time it would take an average reader to finish this issue front to back) of uninterrupted fun It's important to take a break and relax even as you finalize college decisions, apply for summer programs, and study for ACPs and AP tests
Remember to take a breath and have fun!
Maybe you can impress your friends with some clever riddles and jokes in the Commons (“Knock, Knock Who’s Laughing? Knock Knock Jokes That are (a bit) Funny”), learn about harmless pranks you can pull this April Fools’ (“Harmless Pranks to Equip during April Fools”), learn a bit about happiness (“Happiness is a Butterfly”), or even learn how to be funny, because everyone at the Law Magnet needs a little crash course (“How to: Be Funny–A Science”)
Or maybe, you ’ re over the fun this April and want to get d t b If enjoy figuring out why there aren’t that many good movie Good Movies”), uncover the truth behind our favorite chil Fairy Tales”), explore the power of everyone ’ s first AI frien or take a trip down memory lane (“A Trip Down Memory L
Once you ’ re done reading, you can have Crossword, solving our Connections puzzl Wordle.
This is our final edition, so enjoy it!
With all the love and laughter, Sukhmani (Sukhi) Nijjar
WHO’S LAUGHING? KNOCK
KNOCK JOKES THAT ARE
By: Taylor Dodd
(A BIT) FUN
Knock-knock jokes have a reputation; they’re either awfully predictable or just plain cringe. However, every now and then, I’ll stumble upon one that actually makes me laugh, even if I don’t want to admit it.
Whether you must break the awkward silence in a group chat, annoy your friends in the hallway, or impress absolutely no one during lunch, here are some knock-knock jokes that are (kinda) funny—and a little ridiculous).
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there?
Tank. Tank.
Tank who? Tank who? You’re welcome! You’re welcome!
Simple—yet effective— Simple—yet effective— wordplay. This one is best wordplay. This one is best used on someone who used on someone who isn’t paying much isn’t paying much attention because they’ll attention because they’ll probably say something say something like, “Wait, wait, what?” like, “Wait, wait, what?” and then you’ll get to and then you’ll get to repeat it even louder. repeat it even louder.
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there?
Cow says. Cow says. Cow says who? Cow says who?
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there?
Harry. Harry. Harry who? Harry who?
Harry Harry and answer the and answer the door! door!
Best used on siblings Best used on siblings when they’re taking when they’re taking forever to let you inside forever to let you inside the house. the house.
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there?
Boo who? Boo who?
Don’t cry, it’s just a joke! Don’t cry, it’s just a joke! This one is ridiculously This one is ridiculously ancient, but it’s a rite of ancient, but it’s a rite of passage. It usually works passage. It usually works on little kids, teachers, on little kids, teachers, and anyone who just and anyone who just looks tired. looks tired.
YOU KNOW THE YOU KNOW THE DRILL, RIGHT? DRILL, RIGHT?
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there? Broken pencil. Broken pencil. Broken pencil who? Broken pencil who? Never mind, it’s pointless. Never mind, it’s pointless. A joke so dry it might A joke so dry it might actually make you laugh. actually make you laugh.
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there?
Lettuce. Lettuce. Lettuce who? Lettuce who?
Lettuce in, it’s cold out Lettuce in, it’s cold out here! here!
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there?
Britney Spears. Britney Spears. Britney Spears who? Britney Spears who? Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there?
Britney Spears. Britney Spears. Britney Spears who? Britney Spears who? Oops, I did it again. Oops, I did it again. This joke is even better if This joke is even better if you commit to singing the you commit to singing the end—bonus points if you end—bonus points if you add choreography. add choreography.
This one is ideal for when This one is ideal for when you’re waiting outside you’re waiting outside someone’s house and someone’s house and they’re taking too long to they’re taking too long to open the door. open the door.
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there? Europe. Europe. Europe who? Europe who? No, YOU’RE a poo. No, YOU’RE a poo. This one is the peak of This one is the peak of juvenile “fart-and- juvenile “fart-andpoop” humor, but poop” humor, but sometimes, that’s what sometimes, that’s what gets the most laughs. gets the most laughs.
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who’s there? Orange. Orange. Orange who? Orange who? Orange you glad this Orange you glad this article is over? article is over?
(If not, I have about (If not, I have about twenty more. But for twenty more. But for your sake, I’ll stop your sake, I’ll stop here.) here.)
By: Jiashuo (Moon) Liu
SCIENTIFICALLY SCIENTIFICALLY FUNNY FUNNY
Humor is a quality many desire but few truly possess After all, whether or not one is considered humorous is based solely on other people’s perception and reaction, which is complicated to understand to say the least I mean, who can explain why a piece of bread falling over has the entire Internet cracking up? Or why do we sometimes encounter tough crowds when we try to be funny on purpose? If we understand these reasons and circumstances in which people laugh, we can use them to develop a stronger grasp on humor and build stronger connections with others. Below are three essential elements that comprise the humor formula.
The Anatomy Behind Laughter
On an anatomical level, laughter occurs when our abdominal muscles rapidly contract, altering our breathing patterns and causing pressure to build up in our chest cavity We then propel out air, which makes us produce audible sounds like “ha ha” or “he he he.” fMRIs taken of people’s brains when they’re trying to make jokes show that funnier people use their temporal association regions more, which is in charge of spontaneous association and identifying complex stimuli Meanwhile, people who are less experienced with humor showed greater use of their medial prefrontal cortex, an area involved in determining appropriate social behaviors. Put simply, being funny comes with practice, and until you get there, don’t be afraid to let loose and crack a couple random jokes here and there
When we laugh, either the voluntary speechrelated pathways or involuntary emotiondriven systems are activated, depending on whether the laugh was genuine or faked. The regions of our brain that relate to genuine laughter stem from our evolutionary ancestors who are also known for producing laughter-like sounds, such as chimpanzees and bonobos.
The chemical formula to the compound in laughing gas.
Photo by Ashima Yadav
Severity of a Joke
In order to be funny, a joke must juxtapose the situation at hand and/or our mental expectations. But it’s important to remember that all things have limitations The Benign Violation Theory developed by behavior researchers Peter McGraw and Caleb Warren explains that a joke can break minor social rules or norms, but they must not be overly offensive or upsetting A study compared the perception of how funny something is with the extent to which it is upsetting. The researchers showed participants a highly disturbing photo of a man sticking a finger through his nose and out of his eye socket, and a mildly abnormal photo of a man with icicles hanging out of his frozen beard Results showed that people were more likely to find the first photo funny if led to believe that it was fake, and they rated the second photo higher on the funny scale if led to believe that it was real. So, the funniest things stem from real life but maintain a fair distance from our regular lives.
Social Circumstances that Produce Laughter
According to professor emeritus and laughter/group behavior researcher
Robert R. Provine, “The necessary stimulus of laughter is not a joke, but another person ” People are 30 times more likely to laugh in the company of others than when alone, where they’re more likely to just smile or talk to themselves Beyond signaling amusement, laughter is an instinct that is programmed in our genes, used most commonly as a social cue for “bonding, agreement, affection, and emotional regulation.” We are also often driven into a wave of laughter if we hear or see others laughing, as laughter is contagious. This is why we may find ourselves subconsciously laughing at the cheesy laugh tracks on old TV shows, or why we find someone ’ s laugh funnier than the original joke
Many things divide us in this world: borders, cultures, languages, opinions, etc But the one common factor that overcomes all our differences is laughter. When used well, laughter and humor can help us become happier individuals and build rapport by making others happy So laugh more, laugh appropriately, and most importantly, laugh with others, not at them.
YOUJUST YOUJUST GOT GOT PRANKED PRANKED
EQUIP DURING EQUIP DURING APRIL FOOLS APRIL FOOLS
By: Taylor Dodd
There’s something about a good harmless prank the kind that makes you laugh hard enough to choke. These jokes bring a slight chaos to keep the day lighthearted. Here are a few harmless pranks to sprinkle into your April Fools routine, tailored to the perfect people
1 The “Broken” Remote (For the Couch Potato)
Cover the sensor on the TV remote with a tiny piece of tape Watch as they press every button with increasing madness before finally giving up and asking for help.
3. The Alarm Symphony (For the Beauty Sleeper)
Set multiple alarms on their phone at ridiculous times 2:17 AM, 3:08 AM, 5:47 AM. Nothing too loud, just enough to make them question their own sanity when they wake
2. The Soap That Won’t Lather (For the Clean-Freak)
Paint a bar of soap with clear nail polish and put it back in the shower or at the sink. No matter how much they swish it around, there’s just no bubbles
I need my bubbles
4. The Classic Autocorrect Swap (For the Phone-Obsessed)
Go into their phone’s keyboard settings and replace a common word with something ridiculous. “Yes” becomes “No,” or “Guys” becomes “ gng. ” Subtle, yet fun.
5. The Mouse Won’t Work (For the Workaholic)
Stick a small piece of paper over the bottom sensor of their mouse Then observe as they furiously shake it, restart their computer, and eventually discover the paper
6. The Sugar-Salt Mix-Up (For the Coffee Addict)
Switch the sugar with salt in the sugar jar It’s an oldie, but that first sip of coffee? Disgustingly hilarious
7. The Clingy Wrap (All Inclusive)
Pull some Saran Wrap tight across a doorway and tape it in place at their eye level Then call them into the room, making it sound urgent and watch as they smack right into the clear and clingy surface
Remember, it’s important to keep the day fun and full of laughter during April Fools, so try a couple of these on for size instead of more intense and hurtful pranks.
THE REALITY OF FAIRY TALES GRIM
By: Micaela Arauz
On December 20, 1812, two German brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, published a collection of fairy tales. These stories were retellings of German tales that were traditionally passed down orally Unlike how we think of fairy tales today, the collection was blunt, comical, and tragic Contrary to popular belief, the Grimm brothers never intended for these tales to be co children. Grimm’s Fairy Tales may have some of your favorite Disney films, like C Snow White, Tangled, and more What d movies have in common? They all have twisted origin
Snow White and Snow White and the Seven the Seven Dwarfs
Dwarfs
Thanks to Walt Disney’s 1937 adaptation, Snow White is one of the most beloved fairy tales In the Grimm version, Snow White is a young child, under ten years old Like the movie, her jealous stepmother, the Evil Queen, cannot stand that Snow White is the “fairest of them all” and orders a huntsman to kill her Unlike the movies, the stepmother demanded he bring back Snow White’s lungs and liver The huntsman, unable to go through with it, kills a boar instead. Snow White finds a small house, eats some food, and falls asleep in one of the seven little beds The dwarfs let her stay in exchange for cooking and cleaning but warn her to never open the door
The queen disguises herself as an old woman and offers Snow White a bodice lace, which nearly strangles her, a poisoned comb that knocks her out, and finally a poisoned apple Snow White falls into a deep sleep after biting the apple A prince later finds her, removes the poisoned apple from Snow White's throat, and she wakes up Eventually, they fall in love and marry. The queen shows up to the wedding and the couple forces her to wear iron shoes heated on coals, dancing until she dies.
Rapunzel Rapunzel
Upon discovering that Snow White is still alive, the queen makes multiple attempts on her life.
While Disney's Tangled featured the unforgettable Flynn Rider and fantastic music, the Grimms’ version of Rapunzel contains much darker elements In the German story, a man goes to a sorceress ’ s garden to steal some Rapunzel, a vegetable similar to turnips,for his ill pregnant wife, who believes it is the only cure. In fear, the man agrees when the sorceress finds him and demands his child in return for the rapunzel After his wife gives birth, the sorceress arrives, names the baby Rapunzel, and takes her away
A famous scene from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Photo by Ashima Yadav
Rapunzel is the most beautiful child with long, fine hair like spun gold. At twelve, the sorceress locks Rapunzel in a tower with
only one window When the sorceress wants to visit, she calls for Rapunzel to let down her hair, which the sorceress climbs to reach her
One day, a prince hears Rapunzel singing and visits her multiple times. He calls for her to let down her hair and climbs up. Though Rapunzel is initially frightened, they soon fall in love. The prince visits every night, and Rapunzel becomes pregnant with twins When the sorceress finds out, she’s furious, so she cuts off Rapunzel’s hair and uses it to lure the prince to their tower The prince learns the sorceress has thrown Rapunzel into the forest and in despair, he throws himself from the tower. A thorn pokes out his eyes and he becomes
Although these were only two stories by the Grimm brothers, their first collection contained 86 stories followed by 70 more tales in volume 2 After reading some more Grimm fairy tales, there's a chance your favorite childhood stories will get ruined Regardless it is important to recognize the
A copy of Rapunzel, one of the Grimm brothers' most wellknown tales. Photo by Ashima Yadav
Collections of classic fairy tales
Photo by Ashima Yadav
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE:
THE TOP 10 NOSTALGIC MOMENTS & MEDIA THAT CAN CAUSE A TIME TRIP
By: Krystal Ma
There’s something magical about the way certain memories from our childhood stay with us, no matter how much time passes. Whether it’s the thrill of watching a favorite movie on a rainy afternoon, belting out a song that takes us right back to a summer road trip, or the excitement of playing with a toy that felt like the world’s greatest treasure, these experiences create a timeless bond with the past. In this article, we ’ re diving deep into the top 10 nostalgic movies, songs, shows, toys, and moments that made our childhoods unforgettable So sit back, relax, and get ready for a walk down memory lane you ’ re about to relive the magic of growing up
Movies:
Avengers: Endgame (2019) 1
Zootopia (2016) 2
Coco (2017) 3. Big Hero 6 (2014) 4
The LEGO Movie (2014) 5 Minions (2015) 6.
How to Train Your Dragon (2010) 7 Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) 8 Spy Kids (2001) 9. A Cinderella Story (2004) 10.
TV Shows:
Experiences:
Toys "R" Us (1990s–2018) 1. Fidget Spinners (2017) 2
Musical.ly (2014–2017) 3.
Playing on Playgrounds (2000s–Present) 4.
McDonald's Happy Meal (1990s–Present) 5
Power Rangers (1993-2022) 1 Fairly OddParents (2001–2017) 2. Austin & Ally (2011–2016) 3
Phineas and Ferb (2007–2015) 4
Kim Possible (2002–2007) 5
Jake and the Never Land Pirates (2011–2016) 6. Doc McStuffins (2012–2019) 7. Little Einsteins (2005–2009) 8
Bubble Guppies (2011–2016) 9
Sid the Science Kid (2008–2013) 10.
Going to the Doctor’s Office with Sticker Prizes (2000s–2019) 6
Minecraft/Theory YouTube Videos (2010s–Present) 7
Cable and CD TV (1990s–2019) 8.
Target Carts with Seats (2000s–2010s) 9.
YouTube Challenge Videos (2010s) 10
Toys:
Play-Doh (1956–Present) 1
Shopkins (2014–2018) 2. American Girl Dolls (1986–Present) 3
Power Rangers/Transformers Action Figures (1990s–2010s) 4
Stompeez (1990s) 5
Furby (1998–2000s, Re-released 2012–2016) 6
My Little Pony Toys (1980s–Present) 7. Rainbow Loom (2010–2015) 8
Ever After High Dolls (2013–2016) 9
Hatchimals (2016–2020) 10.
Songs:
Youtube Videos:
YouTube Rewind 2018 (2018) 1
PewDiePie vs T-Series "Subscribe War (20182019) 2
The Tide Pod Challenge (2018) 3 Logan Paul's Suicide Forest Video (2017) 4
“It's Everyday Bro” by Jake Paul (2017) 5. Poppy conspiracy theory (2016) 6
James Charles vs Tati Westbrook (2019) 7 "React" Channels (2016) 8. Parody Music/Movie videos (2000-2021) 9. Rickroll (2007) 10
VS
Viva La Vida - Coldplay (2008) 1. Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen (2011) 2
Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus (2013) 3
All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor (2014) 4.
Despacito - Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee (2017) 5.
Thank U, Next - Ariana Grande (2019) 6
Old Town Road - Lil Nas X feat Billy Ray Cyrus (2019) 7
Sugar - Maroon (2014) 8
Havana - Camila Cabello (2017) 9
Happier - Marshmello feat. Bastille (2018) 10.
Hope you enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane. It’s wild to think how many years have passed since those songs ruled the charts insane, right? It feels like it was just yesterday Time has a funny way of speeding up, but the memories tied to those tracks feel so fresh It’s crazy how a simple song or toy can instantly transport you back to a moment, a feeling, or a place. It’s like those years have passed in the blink of an eye, yet somehow, they still feel so close
By: Krystal Ma
ARTICLE
In this age of AI, where ChatGPT is being used everywhere, how can we truly distinguish between what’s real and what’s not? Has AI, such as ChatGPT, diminished creative liberties and the art of writing? Are they coming for the jobs of Legal Pad writers? Below are two articles, one written by a human and the other generated by ChatGPT. Can you guess which one is AI-generated?
Short Story 1:
Alex stood by the kitchen window, sipping her lukewarm coffee, when something caught her eye. At first, it seemed like a trick of the light, but the more she stared, the more it didn't make sense. The sky usually a dull gray this time of year was rippling She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and stared harder Was it a cloud, a storm brewing? No, the air was still The sky wasn’t changing it was warping
Short Story 2:
The world outside her window seemed to shimmer like a mirage. Alex leaned closer to the glass, squinting at the strange, twisting pattern in the sky. It looked like a portal, swirling with colors that didn't belong in nature bright oranges and vivid purples dancing like oil on water She rubbed her eyes, convinced that the exhaustion from her all-night study session was playing tricks on her
She stepped closer, leaning against the cool glass. The colors, almost electric, danced across the horizon in a strange, hypnotic swirl bright blues and sharp yellows, twisting in ways she’d never seen before Her heart fluttered Maybe it was something she'd read about some atmospheric phenomenon? But no, this was different. This was like a living thing, shifting and changing like a moving painting.
“Maybe I need more sleep," she muttered, but the strange, colorful distortion in the sky didn’t go away Instead, it pulled at her, drawing her outside
Alex grabbed her coat and walked quickly into the street. As she stood there, under the wide expanse of sky, the illusion intensified. The houses on the block seemed to stretch and shrink, their edges softening as if the entire world were melting For a moment, everything felt unreal like she was floating in a dream, suspended between reality and something else, something far more serene
But no, it was still there, shifting and pulsating. Her heart began to race. It was a phenomenon she’d never seen before, a swirling vortex that seemed to suck in the clouds around it, bending light in an unnatural way
She grabbed her jacket and rushed outside. The street was quiet, with only the soft rustling of leaves filling the air. When she reached the sidewalk, the illusion was even more vivid. It was like a painting coming to life, a hole in the very fabric of the sky The buildings nearby bent and twisted along with the colorful whirlpool, their sharp angles softening and blurring.
Her fingers trembled as she reached for her phone to snap a picture, but when she glanced at the screen, the image was distorted just a regular sky, plain and ordinary The colors were gone, and the illusion seemed to vanish with the touch of a button
She fumbled for her phone, hoping to capture it, to prove she wasn’t losing her mind. But when she looked at the screen, the sky appeared perfectly normal No colors No distortion
Her breath caught in her throat Had it really been there? Had she imagined it?
Check our instagramfor the answer!
Alex took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that, just for a second, the world around her had been something entirely different
Confused, she turned back to the sky. It was just a normal morning now, nothing out of the ordinary. The illusion had melted away like dew in the sun. Alex stood there for a long time, wondering if what she had seen was real or simply a trick of the mind She couldn’t shake the feeling that the world around her wasn't as solid as it seemed
AI is frequently used for the purpose of schoolwork.
Photo by Ashima Yadav
HAPPINESS IS A UTTERFLY
While most seniors were skipping school, these two authors were at the George Allen Courthouse, competing in the State Mock Trial tournament. Contrary to popular belief, we were actually having fun. We made it to the semi-finals. We put on our best performance And yet, when it was all over, we couldn’t shake the feeling of immense sadness
This happens all the time. One second, we ’ re on top of the world. But when the clock strikes twelve, the happiness is washed away by a bad case of the blues.
Think back to the last concert you attended That euphoric rush as you sang your heart out and danced like there was no tomorrow. But then there was a tomorrow. Experts call this phenomenon “Post-Concert Depression,” a t t t f d ti l t
the void. And soon, seniors will feel it too. The thrill of walking across the graduation stage, surrounded by friends and family, thankful that we can delete Remind and Google Classroom, forever But once again, reality will set in–it’s all over.
We don’t have a remedy for the post-happiness blues (we’re not psychologists, after all) or an answer to why happiness flies away so abruptly So, we decided to take to the Law Magnet halls, and ask our readers: what makes them happy? And, what makes that happiness stick?
Camila Anton, a freshman, said, “The excitement in looking forward to seeing that one friend in class will always boost my mood But the few times that friend may not be there will always bring an empty feeling, not just mentally, but physically ”
Her friend and fellow freshman, Isabella Lobo, said “Traveling is like an escape; new experiences and places make everything feel easier. But every time
the trip comes to an end, knowing I have to go back to the same routine brings me a feeling of sadness and emptiness.”
When asked what she thinks, Kaira Mackifield, a student who seems to always have fun both inside and outside of class, said,, "I felt happy when I was able to scroll on TikTok again When they took TikTok away from me for 16 hours, I felt like my life was over. I was stuck, but I tapped the app one last time before I was about to delete it, and all of a sudden I was able to scroll again #Tiktokismylife”
Aditya Peri, a junior, said, "I've discovered that true happiness comes from appreciation I wake up every day knowing life is good because I've been blessed in ways many aren't. I'm smart, have financial security, and am surrounded by friends and family who love me When you realize your life is better than many others', it shifts your perspective You stop asking for more and start being grateful for what you already have "
Amaad Garrett, a senior, said, “So I remember last year, while playing a district game against Mansfield late at night, my spirit had suddenly plummeted because I remembered I had a paper due the next morning for one of the 15 million AP classes I was taking Typically, while I’m playing, my energy is pretty high and I’m generally happy. But at that moment, it all went away, and I started to become anxious and worried. To make those adverse feelings disappear, I reminded myself how blessed and fortunate I am to be playing the greatest game on earth, and that nothing can take the joy of the game away from me, as long as I continue to embrace the moment and experience ”
When we asked the teacher with a smile that brightens the classroom, a teacher that beams with happiness every day, he said, "If happiness is the butterfly, then joy is being able to appreciate the beauty of the garden, whether or not the butterfly lands on you Both are important I would encourage everyone to figure out who or what brings you both happiness and joy." (Mr. T)
Instead of chasing happiness, maybe, we can create a space for happiness to land Or, not Do as your heart desires
Hannah Estrada & Sukhmani (Sukhi) Nijjar
Lively experience at a concert
Photo by Taylor Dodd
By: Ashima Yadav
THE FALL OF THE THE FALL OF THE FILM INDUSTRY FILM INDUSTRY
Over time, the popularity of movies has declined significantly; the theaters that were once filled remain empty, and the DVD shelves at stores remain untouched. Some of this can be attributed to the rise of modern streaming platforms and the convenience of watching movies from the comfort of one ’ s living room and the added cost of going to a theater In the United States, cinema attendance has declined by 40% since 2019. This loss of interest can also be attributed to the quality of the content; recent movies have suffered a decline in popularity and revenue due to factors like bland storytelling, overuse of computergenerated imagery (CGI), unrelatable dialogue, and casual tokenism
OVERUSE OF COMPUTERGENERATED IMAGERY
The use of technology in films to create virtual scenes and settings has its benefits and downsides CGI has made filming more efficient and cost-effective as it relies on virtual scenery and removes the need to transport equipment for real-life stunts and extravagant sets. While technology has benefited the film industry, it has also had negative effects due to its overuse. Many action films nowadays heavily rely on CGI, which makes the film look less realistic and relatable, giving it an overall artificial feel
IMPACT OF MASS PRODUCTION
The focus has recently been on producing for a large audience in the shortest amount of time. Mass production of movies has negatively influenced individual movies’ quality, as the demand for constant content on millions of services has resulted in less focus on depth. Some dialogue has been watered down in hopes of appealing to a wide range of people. Producers ignore subtlety and undertones of character development in favor of the movie's plot in attempts to drive action Fast-paced, attention-
grabbing styles designed to hold attention leave you feeling hyperactive, preventing the audience from fully engaging with the emotions the film attempts to convey. Movies have been turned into content thrown at you rather than works of art for audiences to sit with and sa
RECYCLING KNOWN NARRATIVES
Recent movies don't present new storylines but rather sequels, reboots, and continuat previously established cinemati universes Examples of this adaptations of Disney movies of the Marvel universe w established heroes This isn't d lack of creativity from film w teams but rather the regula systematic approach to prod those that the majority likes, an p art of filmmaking is treated more like a science, in which creativity is not regarded as a priority and is
Producers don’t just create movies they create memories Photo by Ashima Yadav
abandoned for more reliable existing patterns instead.
TOKENISM AND FORCED REPRESENTATION
Many of the new adaptations of movies are made for inclusivity and diversity. We notice this, especially in old Disney movies, where old characters from a particular demographic are rewritten to include a diverse range of actors. Representation is a crucial part of entertainment, as telling these diverse stories spreads different cultural perspectives Unfortunately, diversity often presents itself as casual tokenism, meaning producers include members of underrepresented groups to give the appearance of diversity and inclusion without making meaningful changes. When studios treat diversity as just another quota to fill, the characters added for that purpose tend to feel underdeveloped and irrelevant to the story, as their only contribution is their particular race, sexuality, gender, etc. Rather than normalizing these marginalized groups, this sets them aside more, causing their whole personality to revolve around these traits, not giving them the same complexity as other characters
These contributors are what cause movies to end up feeling shallow, underdeveloped, rushed, and overall disappointing. At times, there are ways to use these tools in a more productive way to reach an audience on a deeper level not just as something they watch to pass time, but rather something they choose experience When prod strategies correctly, they m efficiency while preserving creativity and uniqueness a r
Towering stack of classic movie DVDs.
Photo by Cati Cruz
Kids watching one of the last great movies
Photo by Cati Cruz
YOUR BRAIN MIGHT BE LYING TO YOU
By: Micaela Arauz
When I was ten years old, my dad finally let me sit in the passenger seat. For years, I had been stuck in the backseat My parents told me it was for my safety until I reached a certain height, but I always thought it was just an excuse for my mom to claim the much cooler passenger seat I used to dream about sitting close to my dad while he drove, being able to turn up the radio all by myself On that day, the passenger seat was my throne I was mesmerized by the side-view mirror and distinctly remember reading, “Objects may be closer than they appear. ” I read that phrase over and over as my 10-year-old mind began to question whether side-view mirrors could be trusted.
A few years later, I watched a YouTube video about the Mandela Effect, and one example included the writing on a car ' s side-view mirror. I couldn't believe it differed from what I thought it was because I remembered the phrase so clearly. I rushed to my dad’s car to check, and to my surprise, the side-view mirror read, “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear ” in all capital letters
The Mandela Effect is a phenomenon in which a group of people collectively misremember facts, events, or other details in a consistent manner. It was discovered in 2009 with Fiona Broome, a paranormal researcher and author, who stated that she incorrectly recalled Nelson Mandela dying while imprisoned in the 1980s. When she initially found out her memory was false, Broome simply disregarded it. That was until she had a conversation with a security staff member at a science fiction convention, where Broome learned that others had the same false memory. She even created a website for people to share and discuss these “false memories” and coined the term “Mandela Effect ” This went viral as many people shared memories that differed from reality
There are no straight forward scientific explanations for this phenomenon, but there are many examples in which a group of people collectively remember a specific thing incorrectly. Do you have a picture perfect memory or are you affected by the Mandela Effect? Let’s find out.
PICK THE CORRECT OPTION BETWEEN TWO IMAGES AND KEEP TRACK OF OUR ANSWERS TO COMPARE THEM WITH THE ANSWER KEY AT THE END!
THE LAW MAG PTSA NEEDS YOU
5/13: PTSA Membership Meeting
All are welcome to join us at the PTSA Membership Meeting where we'll be electing members for the 2025-2026 PTSA Board & Committees. May 13th at 6:00 pm in the Townview Library. All new students/families are welcome to attend!
5/17: Student Give Back: Cupcakes!
PTSA sponsored FREE Cupcakes for all Law Magnet students! Friday, May 17th from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
HELPFUL PTSA LINKS: WEBSITE (Please register!): https://lawmagnetptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/ SPIRIT STORE: https://lawmagnetptsa membershiptoolkit com/store
REMIND GROUP: https://www remind com/join/lawptsa
FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www facebook com/groups/lawmagptsa
LP GAMES
By: Sukhmani (Sukhi) Nijjar
WORDLE
Guess the hidden word in 6 tries
After your enter a valid 4-letter word, the color of the tiles will change Green: A letter in the guessed word is correct and in the correct position. Yellow: A letter in the guessed word is correct but in the wrong position Gray: The letter is not part of the word
By Joel Fagliano
CONNECTIONS
Make four groups of four! Select four items and tap 'Submit' to check if your guess is correct
Category Example: EXTRACURRICULARS → CHESS, LINK CREW, MOCK TRIAL, MODEL UN
Each puzzle has exactly one solution Watch out for words that seem to belong to multiple categories!
