OAKTON OUTLOOK FEBRUARY 2021 | VOL. 15 ISSUE 2 | OUR STORIES
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INAUGURATION FASHION Reliving some of the best fashion moments from the inauguration.
The official newsmagazine of Oakton High School. Find more inside!
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feb 2021
photo courtesty of anderson wozny
OAKTON OUTLOOK
news 4 5 6 7 8
record heat of 2020 trump impeachment trial biden’s executive orders/action the trump family post white house
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politics 9 10 11 12 13 14
indepth 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Dear Oakton,
BLM protests vs the capitol riots polarization in the US and around the world comparing insurrections to the jan 6 attack protests in hong kong and affects on the region K2 summit climb
photo courtesty of anderson wozny
the death penalty the rise and fall of college board college gap years kamala harris feature jojo siwa comes out as LGBTQ+
sports 22 23 24 25 26
japan 2021 olympics washington wizards struggles does tom brady have what it takes? start of the 2021 NBA season
opinion 27 28 29 30 31 32
gentrification of thrifting why no one can be 100% unbiased removal of SAT subject tests limits to the executive branch steroid users and the hall of fame disenchantment season 3
a&e 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
the winx sage fans cobra kai review reliving trends of 2020 using a breadmaker history of pets in the white house inauguration fashion
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
EDITORIAL BOARD editors in chief
sahithi jammulamadaka zoe sauger payton wozny
editorial board
aubrey harrell charlie williams haley longfellow shevany moharir veronica preaskorn eileen lincoln claudia messina sara boddie
adviser
elizabeth snyder
STAFF WRITERS nour al-kaaby anna allred addison becker portia dai emma dennis max dolinh alicia ernst lorne fowler nathan henriques serena hirani lucy holt tommy hunter viraj khetan
katie le aubrey leverett harriet limkin kartik mukalla artin saadt rania shah anshul sreenvias kaleb steele ashley stewart dilara vural aidan whipp katherine zevallos
The Oakton Outlook is the official school newsmagazine of Oakton High School. photo courtesty of anderson wozny
We are so excited to share our second digital magazine of the year! We have worked hard on this issue to cover a variety of topics ranging from the Protests in Hong Kong (page 13) to instructions and tips for using a breadmaker (pages 36-37). This month has brought about a set of new beginnings. We officially started the new semester and the first full month with the new President of the United States. The country was able to welcome Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris, the first woman and person of color as Vice President. Stories covering the inauguration and the first weeks of the Biden Presidency can be found on page 7 (Biden’s Executive Orders/Actions), and a review of the fashion at the Inauguration on pages 40 and 41. Specifically this issue, we put emphasis on our A&E section. With the pandemic, people around the world are creating more creative content than ever before, and we are excited to feature their work. As always, if there is a story you feel we missed or an interesting creative pursuit we haven’t covered, let us know! We are always trying to diversify our content and would love to hear from different voices. In addition, if there is any art or writing you would like to share with us we are always accepting written submission, political cartoons, artwork, and photographs. This is our last issue before Oakton starts transitioning students back in-person so we are excited to bring you different kinds of content in the coming months, and hope everyone is staying safe and healthy! Best, Zoe Sauger Sahithi Jammulamadaka Payton Wozny Editors-in-Chief
check us out online: oaktonoutlook.com Instagram & Twitter: @oaktonoutlook
illustration by sophia bywater
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NEWS
2020 TIED FOR THE HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD
serena hirani | staff writer
How is climate change affecting us?
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he average global temperature has risen by 0.18 degrees Fahrenheit every decade since 1981, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), This does not seem like much; in fact, while 2020 was tied for the hottest year on record according to NASA, it didn’t feel different at all. Nonetheless, the world is changing and many ecosystems are struggling to survive. Global warming creates a ripple effect that impacts humans in many significant ways. As the pandemic gained power and more people began to stay home, many were led to believe that 2020 would be the year the atmosphere cleared up. After all, carbon emissions were down 17% from 2019, pollution levels in major cities dropped dramatically, and the air even smelled cleaner, especially since for most people, time spent outside the house was limited. However, a few mere months of reduced pollution cannot reverse the damage caused by years of destroying the environment. The spike in global temperature in 2020 seemed to send us
a message that we are simply not doing enough. With the continuation of widespread use of fossil fuels, single use plastics, and other large contributors to climate change, the temperature continues to rise, with this past decade being the hottest on record. Global warming affects us all in many ways: not only does it contribute to a growing number of heat related health problems such as heat stroke and heart disease, but it also worsens natural disasters, raises sea levels, and destroys ecosystems not suited to the warm or fluctuating temperatures.
be too late to reverse our effects on the world but we must start now so we can bring the temperature down and 2020 can stay the hottest year on record forever.
Though we are seeing the impacts of our actions in real time, climate change continues to be a source of controversy in the United States. However, the facts and impacts are undeniable. Many species are struggling to stay alive with major climate events and humans might not be far behind. It may very well
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Photo courtesy of Calibas
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Photo courtesy of AIMS
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February 2021
BEHIND TRUMP’S IMPEACHMENTS
President Donald Trump’s first term had an interesting timeline. Let’s take a look. kaleb steele | staff writter
in history to receive two impeachments. The reason for Congress to state the first Impeachment process was that Trump tried to get Ukranian authorities to illegally help him get more votes leading up to the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. On December 18, 2019, the House photo courtesy of cnbc of Representatives adopted he impeachment process is a two two articles of impeachment against step process. The first step is for Trump, abuse of power and obstruction the House of Representatives of Congress. The Senate later voted to present, and vote on, the articles of against those two charges. Trump was Impeachment that outline the situation acquitted and remained President. On January 6, 2021, Trump spoke at of any Constitutional rules broken. In order to proceed to the next step, the the March for the Trump Rally taking House of Representative only needs a place near the White House. Trump told simple majority vote. The second step his voters to travel to the Capital to proof impeachment is where the Senate test alleged, fraudulent votes currently goes to trial to decide if the president is being counted and him getting cheated guilty of those allegations. The senate out of winning the election. Later, some needs at least two-thirds of the votes in Trump supporters started pushing over order to convict the President and re- the fences around the capitol and breakmove them from office and strip them ing into the capitol building, where from Presidential benefits. Former they proceeded to cause as much havoc President Trump is the first President as possible. Soon after, on January 13,
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2021, the House of Representatives adopted the articles of Impeachment for incitement of insurrection. On January 20, 2021 President Joe Biden takes the oath of office as the 46th President of the United States. Now that Trump was no longer President, the Senate Republicans felt it was a waste of their time to continue the impeachment process. The Senate did a vote on whether it was constitutional to keep the impeachment trial going now that Trump was no longer President.The results came back as 45 to 55 to no it is constitutional to still impeach former President Trump. The Senate impeachment trial lasted five days. Even though the majority of the senate voted to convict Trump, the vote didn’t reach the two-thirds majority mark. On February 13, 2021 Trump was aquitted.
photo courtesy of vox
6 WHAT JOE BIDEN’S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS MEAN FOR AMERICA As President Biden takes office, many are wondering what he has planned due to our uncertain future.
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February 2021
Will He Introduce an Affordable Healthcare Plan?
Moreover, a very controversial topic that conservatives have been pressuring Biden about for the majority of this election is his calls for the expansion of healthcare. He emphasizes that his plans for healthcare strive for it to be affordable for every American citizen, granting access and quality care for the less fortunate through the expansion of Medicaid. Individuals from poorer families will receive a value of tax credits to lower premiums, which will assuredly extend coverage to more working Americans. Tax values will be a valuable asset for those who have trouble spending money for the luxury of healthcare.
How Will He Implement Justice Reform?
photo courtesy of martin falbisoner
What Has Biden Already Done While in Office?
Biden has exercised many new orders over the course of his short duration as President. He made it legal for transgender American citizens to serve in the Military, basically reversing former President Trump’s ban on disallowing transgender Americans to take part in the Military. Additionally, he has ordered the establishment of a variety of environmental protections and changes to pre-existing immigration policies enacted by former President Trump. Biden has shown that he’s concentrated on adjusting Trump’s actions to better help and accommodate certain Americans. He has reacted fast to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding aid through executive orders such as approving the rapid expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in order to serve families in need that have been hit the hardest. COVID-19 Plans To go into further detail on Biden’s plans for COVID-19, he’s planning to double the drive-through testing sites to make sure all Americans have access to a test. Biden also wants to invest in “next-generation” testing, including at-home tests and instant tests. This will ensure that we get an accurate number on the num-
ber of current cases to help scientists formulate a solution, and eventually, if all goes according to plan, cases will most likely begin to decrease significantly.
How Does He Plan to Combat the Climate Crisis?
A major executive order that Biden has signed that is sure to have a long-term impact is his ‘Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.’ This is a critical order to put into motion due to the fact that Donald Trump was infamous for essentially ignoring climate issues during his tenure as president. When it comes to the climate change debate, Trump will probably be remembered the most for almost completely dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency, reversing the Obama-era legislature regarding emissions restrictions, and withdrawing America from the Paris Climate Agreement. Biden’s new executive order is intended to pause the leasing of new oil or natural gas leases on offshore waters or public lands. Furthermore, he has called for the integration of climate management into all agencies and has established the National Climate Task Force, a committee focused specifically on climate issues.
After a violent summer of 2020 where America was forced to examine its long history of discrimination in its justice system, President Biden has attempted to take steps to amend the institutional problems at its heart. Most notably, Biden has instructed the attorney general to halt the renewal of federal contracts with private prisons, making meaningful steps in ending the prison-industrial complex that has trapped many an American in the brutal conditions of abuse and unpaid labor found in many private prisons. He has also signed an order to re-examine the effectiveness of the Fair Housing Act, an act designed to combat discriminatory housing practices that have often been subverted without many consequences.
How Will He Handle Immigration Reform?
Due to Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies, such as his unsuccessful attempt to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, many immigrants have found their quality of life decreasing drastically. During his tenure, he waged an unrelenting assault on our values and history as a nation of immigrants. As a result of his policies, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have committed various human rights offenses. However, Biden plans to modernize America’s immigration system, as well as bestow a warm welcome to immigrants in our communities. And to avoid unnecessary conflicts, Biden also ensures to tackle the root cause of irregular migration. With a record number of 42 executive orders and counting being put into place, the most being enacted since Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s term as President, President Biden has shown that he is committed to turning his vision for a better America into a reality. He has shown his purpose during the first weeks of his presidency through his reversal of President Trump’s policies, environmental reforms, and his expansion of COVID-19 programs in order to work towards stopping the spread of the pandemic.
kartik mukalla | staff writer emma dennis | staff writer photo courtesy of gage skidmore
8 WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE TRUMP FAMILY? The Trump’s after leaving the White House
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o matter what they were or were not saying publicly, the members of Donald Trump’s immediate family knew that he was leaving 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in January, ending any further opportunity for them to participate in the mismanagement of their country.
Will Trump run again?
The number one question right now is whether Trump will run again in 2024. As the former president departed the White House, he commented that he would “be back in some form,” prompting questions over whether the divisive Republican could run for office again in 2024. Although Trump will be 78 in 2024, his age will likely not be a factor since Biden turned 78 last month. In fact, CNN reported that Trump may have shown his hand at a recent White House Christmas party, when he told attendees, “We are trying to do another four years. Otherwise, I’ll see you in four years.” Politico has also reported that uncertainty about Trump’s future plans has some other potential GOP candidates for 2024 holding off on deciding if they will run for president that year. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has said that if Trump decides to seek office again, “he will certainly be the front-runner and will probably be the nominee.” There’s also speculation in some quarters that Trump will be mired in legal problems and possibly prosecution in the coming year, stemming from more than a dozen investigations and civil suits that are said to be ongoing. But if that happens, it is expected for him to fight back, knowing his history of resilience, as detailed in his 2008 book Never Give Up, How I Turned My Biggest Challenges into Success. The first chapter details “the lowest moment in [his] life and how [he] fought back,” which Trump said occurred in March of 1991, when The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times published articles about him being bilphoto courtesy of picryl. lions of dollars in debt.
Donald Trump Jr.
So far, Donald Trump Jr. has promoted himself as a future presidential possibility in order to “make the libs heads explode.” Jason Miller, a senior adviser on Trump’s re-election campaign, told The New York Times, ““Don Jr. represents the emotional center of the MAGA universe.”He’s become a full-time pro-Trump pundit who has traveled the country (before the virus struck the globe) in support of his father’s presidency and 2020 campaign, becoming one of the most-requested speakers at Trump’s campaign events. As social distancing and strict mask-wearing has been enforced, Trump Jr. changed public appearance plans and has grown to be a top virtual fundraiser for the party. But does he have what it takes? Although Trump Jr. has made a name for himself throughout his father’s presidency, America does not know Trump Jr. without a Trump. The president’s son built his own brand in the last two years as he published two books and launched a podcast where he tends to avoid political discus- photo courtesy of sion on it. Yet, so much of Trump Jr.’s be- oliver douliery. liefs and ideas are associated with his father’s, as he continues to follow Trump’s political path, rather than shape his own. While Donald Trump may have lost in November, Trump Jr. could, however, start fresh and frame his own political path for future presidency. Even though polls have voted in favor of his candidacy and followers think he has a strong chance of running for presidency one day, Trump Jr. has made it clear in the past that he has “no intention” of fighting for the White House in 2024.
dilara vural | staff writer
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POLITICS
February 2021
CAPITOL INSURRECTION VS. BLM PROTESTS AND RIOTS A fair and accurate comparison
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oday, we live in a time of intense, all-pervasive political division. The Capitol insurgence early this year in protest of the presidential election results has done nothing but exacerbate this divide. Many political leaders are striking comparisons between the January 6th uprising and the spring/summer 2020 BLM protests and, subsequently, making accusations of hypocrisy against the opposing party. However, since BLM is a movement and the Capitol insurrection was a single event, a fair and accurate comparison needs to focus on a specific BLM demonstration. The June 1st, 2020 protest at Lafayette Square is a good example because it also took place in Washington D.C., just a few blocks away from Capitol Hill. The Capitol insurgence and Lafayette Square demonstrations were both largely peaceful at first. Mr. Tiller, agreed, saying, “The vast majority of both groups, are peaceful people who want to see the change that they want.” However, small groups of violent agitators plagued both. During the nights preceding the BLM protest, rioters ran rampant through D.C., looting and vandalizing buildings and setting fire to the streets. At the Capitol, the destruction was more clear— insurrectionists attacked po-
photo courtesy of victoria pickering lice with metal pipes and tear gas, smashed windows, and, ultimately, stormed the building. Pipe bombs, zip-tie handcuffs, and a noose were also found in the crowd.
The main difference between the two events was the police response. At Lafayette Square, armored vehicles blocked intersections, helicopters swooped over the heads of protesters, and a militarized unit of nearly 6,000 troops, made up of D.C. police, Park Police, and National Guard from the District and 12 states patrolled the streets. This extensive force had the power to suppress violence and keep order, making 289 arrests throughout the night. In fact, a National Guard commander later admitted that there had been an “extensive use of force.” Conversely, the police at the Capitol were heavily, and as put by Mr. Tiller, “embarrassingly” unprepared, outnumbered, and under-equipped. Only one agency, the Capitol Police, was initially present, and the small force of a few hundred men was quickly overrun by the thousands of Trump supporters, resulting in the injury of 58 officers and the death of one. The response of the National Guard was also slow, and according to Mr. Tiller, not “fast enough to take care of the situation”; it was only after the Capitol had been breached that D.C. and Virginia National Guard were deployed. Moreover, the demeanor of the police at the Capitol diverged from those at the BLM demonstration. Police at Lafayette Square used aggressive crowd-clearing tactics to disperse protesters, beating, tackling, spraying, and arresting them without provocation. Many Capitol Police officers, on the other hand, seemed to sympathize with rioters, letting them enter restricted areas and helping them down the stairs. One officer was even seen posing for a selfie with a rioter. Attempting to clear up the situation, many Capitol Police leaders, like Representative Tim Ryan, head of the house committee that controls the Capitol Police budget, argued that the department expected a “pretty
vanilla” protest and didn’t anticipate “any kind of violence.” However, the open plotting of the assault online makes this hard to believe. Then-President Donald Trump also did
photo courtesy of blink o’fanaye nothing to help the unrest and, in reality, worsened it by tweeting criticisms of Vice President Mike Pence and encouraging his supporters to “show strength” and “fight like hell.” This starkly differs from his response to the BLM protesters at Lafayette Square: looking back at his Twitter posts from June 1st, we can see that he proclaimed to be taking “swift and decisive action to protect our great capital, Washington, D.C.” and “dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults and the wanton destruction of property.” Moreover, he threatened demonstrators with “vicious dogs” and “ominous weapons”, saying in a tweet, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” All in all, when coupling President Trump’s conflicting responses to the Lafayette Square protest and Capital insurgence, with the starkly contrasting responses of the Pentagon and police, despite clear intelligence of imminent violence at both, it is not hard to see why some may think the responses were racially charged.
artin saadat | staff writer
10 WHY IS THE WORLD SO COLD?
Polarization is spreading in world governments like a political pandemic.
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February 2021
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olarization is an issue that is spreading throughout the globe and throughout many democracies. In Poland, the people are at a large divide over a conflict that challenges many governments. Abortion. Poland has posed new abortion laws, illegalizing the choice to have an abortion including if it is due to fetal defects. The new laws and regulations have set pro-choice advocates through the roof and created a divide between the country. Poland is a largely traditional Catholic nation, therefore, a great majority of the population holds conservative values. This produces a tension between the conservatives, which tends to be the older generations, and those who lean left or are liberal, which generally is made up of the younger generation. This divide that heightened due to the abortion laws extends further into other elements of governments and is leading to increased polarization.
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he past four years have been tumultuous years pertaining to the polarization of the United States’ two-party system. The past president, Donald Trump instigated a great divide between the democratic and republican parties, producing radicals on both sides that often are louder and overwhelm the centralists. The rising tensions between the two parties eventually led to the Capital riots and much distrust and hatred between members of the two parties. This divide in a country is not only seen in the United States, currently all over the world country’s are becoming increasingly polarized, which can possibly invent even more stress. There are two main reasons for this. The first being the general aspect of peace that the world has experienced post-cold war, this being general world peace. And secondly, the Covid-19 pandemic. These two situations together are inducing unrest and people are setting themselves in crisis mode.
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urkey is another example of increased polarization resulting in a divide within the country and the people. In Turkey, there is large income inequality and the wage gap, these two issues have resulted in polarized views. The president holds the majority of the power in Turkey, and there are diminishing checks and balances between the branches. The people in Turkey have come to disagreements on how to handle the situation and this has resulted in a very split nation. In Turkey, especially the tension between the two sides of the argument has resulted in hatred towards each other. This is the danger of a polarized country, hatred between the people based on their political views can result in violence, hate crimes, and even civil war. Although, what is the solution? As polarization becomes a political pandemic, international aid might be the only remedy. The goal of world peace needs to retain in order to combat the divide in a nation that can break democracy.
zoe sauger | editor-in-chief
12 “HAVE FUN STORMING THE CAPITOL” How other rebellions compare to the photo courtesy of Cameron Smith January 6th attack on Unspash
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he founding father wanted a country in which the government worked for the people. They granted US citizens the right to assembly, the right to bear arms, and the right to free speech, among other things. After so many years under imperial British rule, it would also make sense for them to sympathize with the people rising against their own government. The constitution is quoted as saying, “whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.” What happened on January 6th likely wasn’t what they had in mind. Hundreds of supporters for former president Donald Trump took to the Capitol building to air their grievances concerning the election results, muscling past what security there was to wreak havoc upon the building. Windows were broken, works of art were vandalized, and the inner chambers of the building were stormed. A cop was injured in the riot and later died of his wounds, and four rioters were killed as well. Though the coup failed, it left a broken, shaken country in its wake. The event will likely go down infamously in history, leaving others to pick up the pieces and make sense of what happened. Learning from other rebellions in history could be the key to understanding why they happen. 1. Spartacus’s slave rebellion The first insurrection on this list is an ancient one. Spartacus, a slave of the Roman empire, rose in 73 BCE against his former masters with the aid of an army of liberated slaves. What makes this rebellion so interesting, among other things, is the reason for its existence; Spartacus’s desire was simply for freedom, and he was willing to fight a war to get it. Storming the Capitol over election results feels embarrassing by comparison. 2. The French Revolution A prime example of a people “successfully” overthrowing the establishment, the French Revolution was a bloody affair at the end of the 18th century. Enraged by the way their dismal lifestyles compared to the lavish ones of French royalty, peasants stormed the Bastille
(a state prison) and sparked one of the most violent revolutions in modern history. Nobles and royals were publicly executed, opening power vacuums and severe political unrest in the country. 3. The Haitian Revolution This insurrection by Haitian slaves against French colonizers came shortly after the American Revolution. Widely regarded as the most successful slave rebellion in history, the Haitian’s decade-long struggle ended with independence for their country. 4. The Whiskey Rebellion The Whiskey Rebellion stands as one of the few times in American history that the federal government has been forced to take militaristic action against its own citizens. However, the Americans of 1791 were not concerned with election results; their grievance was with a tax on whiskey. 5. The American Revolution Perhaps the most famous revolution of the modern age, the American Revolution still stands as a shining beacon of man’s fierce desire for the freedom of self-governance. Its primary cause stemmed from overtaxation, public unrest, and a military presence implemented by King George III of England. It not only acted as the birthplace for the country we know today, but also as a model for other oppressed nations to follow in their quest for independence.
charlie williams | editorial board
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February 2021
PROTESTS IN HONG KONG What it means for the Region
photo courtesy of artur kornakov History of Hong Kong to make up 27% of Chinese GDP in the China’s response to this movement was to t first, Hong Kong was just a early 90s, but it has fallen to only 3% now. establish more power over the city. rocky island with a very small This pushed China to start erasing that population. It was given to Britain imaginary border between the mainland Protests for 99 years as part of a peace country and the island. They built The recent protests in Hong Kong were deal during the Opium Wars buildings, structures, and began mainly sparked by the murder of Poon between England and dispensing propaganda in Hiu-Wing, which led to the ExtradiChina. Much of Hong order to show Chinese sover- tion Bill in 2019. This bill would allow Kong was influenced eignty. On June 4th, 1989, Taiwan and mainland China to try people by European lifestyle. pro-democracy protestors for their crimes. On a deeper level, this A road was built to marched on Tiananmen bill symbolizes the status of Hong Kong seperate the island Square, Beijing for the and China’s power over it. This started and China, it acted as end of the single-party the largest protest in the region’s history. an imaginary border that rule, which led to a large Hong Kongers spread throughout their separated Chinese and massacre. This gained the streets for weeks, pushing back against European life. Hong Kong attention of many Hong China’s encroachment. These protestors soon became urbanized and Kongers. In 2003, the region were able to convince the government to their economy skyrocketed. In photo courtesy fought against legislation that suspend the bill, but their goal is to get 1997, Hong Kong was returned of jj ying would punish speaking out against rid of the bill entirely. However, many to China with an agreement that China. In 2014, the Chinese govpro-democracy leaders and Hong Kongers stated they would be able to retain their ernment tried to control Hong are being arrested. Not only lifestyle, legal system, rights, and freeKong’s election to ensure a do people face arrest, but doms for the next 50 years in order to start pro-China candidate. This some are being abducted. adjusting to Chinese rule. China became a sparked outrage and proBooksellers were reportOne Country, Two System model. tests, including the Umed missing after selling brella movement on the books that exposed the July 1st 2047 island. The Umbrella Chinese government, The agreement is instituted for 50 movement represented which are illegal in years:July 1st, 2047 is when Hong Kong a growing Hong Kong mainland China. This is supposed to be fully under China’s rule; identity and resistance creates a threat to Hong until then, Hong Kong remains autonagainst Chinese government Kong’s freedom of speech. If omous. China respected this agreement influence. It sparked a politithis bill is passed, it will symuntil the island was no longer the econom- cal awakening that caused more bolize the fall of Hong Kong. ic powerhouse of China. Hong Kong used people to vote in the election. photo courtesy of joseph chan
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katie le|staff writer
14 SAVAGE MOUNTAIN The historic winter ascent of K2
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The Summit 28,251’
team of 10 Nepali climbers accomplished the 28,251 summit of K2, the world’s second highest mountain, on January 16th, 2021. This achievement contributes an astonishing new chapter to mountain climbing history. K2 is located in Pakistan’s section of the Karakoram region and is one of only fourteen mountains above 8,000 meters in the world. Unlike Mount Everest and other high altitude summits, K2 obtains extreme steep faces as well as frequent rockfalls and avalanches that require a certain amount of technical climbing experience. While more than 4,000 individuals have reached the peak of Everest, only 367 climbers have achieved the summit of K2; however, none have done so during the harsh winter season. “History made for mankind, history made for Nepal!” wrote Nirmal on Instagram at approximately 5:40 p.m. in Pakistan. During the extensive expedition, the team of mountaineers endured temperatures exceeding -58 degrees Fahrenheit and strong winds while ascending the Abruzzi Spur on the southern flank of the mountain. A remarkable collaborative effort was established by the two teams of Nepali mountaineers, one led by Nirmal Purja, while the other was conducted by Mingma G Sherpa. According to Purja, the entire team remained below the summit to assemble a group and began to reach the top together while performing a chorus of the Nepali national anthem. Along with Mingma G Sherpa and Purja were multiple other summiters identified as Sona Sherpa, Mingma David Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Geljen Sherpa, Pem
Chiri Sherpa, Dawa Temba Sherpa, Dawa Tenjin Sherpa, and Kilu Pemba Sherpa. For the Nepali climbers, the most difficult and treacherous task they confronted was considered to be the descent, executed in oxygen-starved exhaustion and achieved by rappelling miles of fixated rope to obtain safety on the glacier at the edge of the mountain. At 10 p.m. local time, social media reported that the team in its entirety had reached Camp 3 securely, where they then rested for a few hours before continuing to travel down K2. Since the 1950s, the dangerous peak has been identified as the Savage Mountain due to the ratio of deaths to ascents being determined as 1 to 6. By comparison, on Mount Everest, the ratio is nearly 1 to 34. That narrow margin for error was displayed as Sergi Mingote, a Spanish climber who had achieved 10 of the world’s highest mountains without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support, fell to his death while descending from Camp 1. The historic climb also carried political implications. Nepal, sandwiched between India and China, has always struggled to make headlines in its own right. Nepal is often characterized as being China’s puppet, and disputes or debate that Nepal carries out internally are usually framed by their effect on India-China tensions. Nepal’s own perspective is often overlooked in favor of the country’s position between two of the world’s superpowers. This trend continues on the world’s tallest mountains. Mount Everest straddles Nepal’s border with China. Nepal’s south side of the mountain remains the Base Camp 16,400’
anna allred|staff writer rania shah|staff writer most popular side to summit from, largely due to the expertise of Sherpa climbing guides, but those same guides are rarely credited for the records they help their foriegn clients break. A lot of people know Sir Edmund Hillary was the first man to summit Everest. Substantially fewer people know Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who made the climb with him. Sherpa climbers make up nearly one third of the total summits of Everest, and one third of the deaths. Sherpas spend extended periods of time in high risk situations: porting gear, fixing ropes and ladders, and conducting rescues. Nepal holds the record for most citizens to summit the mountain by more than 800 climbs. Despite this, the Sherpa community and the country of Nepal rarely get the credit they deserve. Coronavirus decimated the spring climbing season in Nepal, but it gave Sherpa climbers a rare opportunity to make a climb for themselves. K2 was the last peak over 8000 meters to be summited in the winter, and was considered by many mountaineers the last great mountain climbing challenge in the world. The Nepalese team, who summited the world’s most dangerous mountain while singing their national anthem, have proven that Nepal is the home of, and not just a destination for, the greatest mountain climbers in the world.
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IN-DEPTH
February 2021
THE DEATH SENTENCE
The state of capital punishment in the United States and Virginia States that have abolished the death penalty: 1. Alaska 2. Colorada 3. Connecticut 4. Delaware 5. Hawaii 6. Illinois 7. Iowa 8. Maine 9. Maryland 10. Massachusetts 11. Michigan 12. Minnesota 13. New Hampshire 14. New Jersey 15. New Mexico 16. New York 17. North Dakota 18. Rhode Island 19. Vermont 20. Washington 21. West Virginia 22. Wisonsin States that have a gubernatorial moratorium against the death penalty: 1. California 2. Oregon 3. Pennsylvania
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ccording to the Marshall Project, there have been 1,529 executions in the US since 1976, although capital punishment has been prevalent throughout US and world history. It goes as far back to the Babylonian Empire under Hammurabi’s Code with the famous “eye for an eye” rhetoric and has remained throughout history. Capital punishment was prevalent in the thirteen colonies with the main influence coming from Britain. In the modern world, the number of nations that have abolished capital punishment continues to rise with the US being the only western country to carry out executions in recent years.
There have been 113 executions in VA since 1976; the state is ranked second to Texas in most executions. The death penalty is currently illegal in 22 states, but legislation to abolish the death penalty in Virginia has been passed by both the Virginia House and Senate and now awaits the signature of Governor Ralph Northam, who is expected to sign the repeal. Additionally, Both President Biden and Vice President Harris have publicly opposed the death penalty. While the president has the power to commute the sentences of everyone currently on death row, the abolishment of capital punishment must come from legislation passed through Congress. Now that Democrats have control over both the House and the Senate, it’s more likely than ever for the abolishment to pass. Under the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution, the abolition of capital punishment on the federal level would also abolish the death penalty in all states.
There’s a wide-rade of opinions on the death penalty and opinions are usually split on party-lines with Democrats favoring the abolishment of capital punishment and Republicans backing capital punishment. Those who oppose the death penalty often cite cruel and unusual punishment, the lack of crime control, and the risk of executing innocent people. Those who support the death penalty often argue the stance of fair punishment and justice for victims. Another argument in support of capital punishment is to save taxpayer money from the price of keeping an inmate incarcerated, however, this claim has been disputed under “modern application of the death penalty,” according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Some of the recent push to abolish the death penalty has come from the Black Lives Matter movement and the significant amount of federal executions under the Trump Administration. Many who oppose capital punishment cite how the death penalty and the criminal justice system in general disproportionately affects communities of color. However, the abolishment of capital punishment would only be one step towards criminal justice reform.
There have been 16 federal exectutions in the 21st century. 13 of which occurred under the Trump Administration.
payton wozny | editor-in-chief
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ith the rise in college admissions, came the rise of the CollegeBoard and its famous Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). The College Board claims it is one of the best tests to determine college readiness and future success in students. The test is taken by over two million students every year, and it has become one of the most distinctive metrics in the college admissions process. Students, especially in the past couple of decades, have spent thousands of dollars on preparing and taking the single most important exam of their high school career, and CollegeBoard has spent years profiting off of this demand from students and colleges. What started off as a test only the most elite schools offered, has now expanded to almost every major college in the country. It was a common data point that colleges could use to compare students. Over the years CollegeBoard has made changes to the test to ensure that colleges and students believe the test is relevant. In 2016, changes to the grading scale and the essay were made in response to competition from the ACT and the criticisms revolving around the inequality of the test. Regardless of how “uncoachable” the CollegeBoard believes their test is, the reality is that students who can afford to pay the steep price for SAT tutoring are at an advantage. Some families are willing to dish out over $10,000 to ensure their child gets a good score, therefore, securing a place in some of the top colleges and universities. Unfortunately, low-income students can’t afford to pay the steep price for tutoring. This gives an edge to wealthier students. In addition, those who are able to spend time studying for the exam are able to get higher scores. Low-income, often minority, students who have to juggle school work, having a job, and taking care of family members can find it difficult to allocate time to study for this test, once again giving the leg up to wealthier students. In response to this more and more colleges began to go test-optional. This started the inevitable fall of the SAT.
The Inevitable Fall
In an effort to mitigate the concerns over the inequalities in taking the SAT test the CollegeBoard rolled out the ‘Adversity Score.’
sahithi jammulamadaka | editor-in-chief
It was intended to give students a score based on the neighborhood they live in to give colleges a better sense of a student’s socioeconomic status when considering their SAT score. But, instead of boosting the credibility of the CollegeBoard, it backfired. Colleges that had worries over the biases from the SAT began to wonder why they should include the test in admissions anyways. As more and more colleges began to go test-optional the college admissions process was hit with a new challenge: the coronavirus pandemic. Test centers began to close left to right, and the accessibility of the exam was decreasing. This left colleges with a dilemma, whether or not to make standardized test scores necessary in the admissions process. Soon, top colleges started going test-optional and thousands of colleges followed suit. This was the final nail in the coffin for the SAT. Colleges no longer felt like the SAT was necessary if thousands of people were unable to access them. Although the CollegeBoard maintained that “taking that [the SAT] off the table altogether isn’t helpful for students,” colleges were saying otherwise.
THE RISE AND
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February 2021
More students than ever started going test-optional leaving the CollegeBoard in a financial predicament. So, this past month the CollegeBoard officially removed the SAT subject tests and the optional essay indefinitely, to make up losses from the past year. The CollegeBoard said that their plan to remove the SAT Subject Tests and the optional essay was already underway, and the pandemic only sped up the process. Unfortunately for the CollegeBoard, the trend to go test-optional does not seem like it is slowing down. Even as the light at the end of the pandemic is starting to show, top colleges have already made commitments to go test-optional for the class of 2022 and even some for the class of 2023. The 2020-2021 admissions cycle has proven that quality applicants can be chosen without test scores and a wider variety of students have the ability to apply to top schools. Yet the CollegeBoard seems firm on their stance saying, “Even with the flexibility that Higher Ed has put into place, we know that students still want to take the test. We also know that our Higher Ed and K-12 members continue to value the SAT.” The pandemic forced the CollegeBoard to make permanent changes, but as more colleges begin to devalue the standardized testing, the future of the SAT is looking grim.
FALL OF THE SAT
1899
THE TIMELINE OF COLLEGEBOARD
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12 universities founded the College Entrance Examination Board made up of 12 of the most elite universities in the northeastern United States
1901
The standardized admissions exam called the “College Boards” was administered for the first time; it took 5 days to complete and covered topics such as Greek, Latin, French, and physics. Students could get advanced knowledge about the specific topics on the test if they paid a fee.
1905
During WW1 the IQ test was developed, and the creator Carl Bringham, gave it to over 2 million recruits, and created his own version and gave it to students at Princeton University and Cooper Union.
1926
Bringham was able to pass the idea by the College Board and evolved the test into the modern-day SAT, which was first taken by students. In comparison to the “College Boards” exam, the SAT measured aptitude for learning as opposed to received knowledge
1965
College Board released a study claiming that the SAT was “uncoachable” proving that it was a true measure of one’s intellect.
1978
The College Board began releasing practice exams as a way to counter the cultural criticism of the test.
2005
Analogous questions were removed from the test and the introduction of the 2400 point scoring system with a required essay.
2016
In response to competition from the ACT College Board, reverted to a 1600 point scoring system and the essay became optional.
2021
As more and more schools went test-optional in lieu of the coronavirus pandemic, College Board suffered serious losses from the lack of exam takers. Due to these losses, they decided to get rid of SAT subject tests and the SAT essay for all future students.
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February 2021
IS COLLEGE WORTH IT?/ SHOULD YOU TAKE A GAP YEAR? What’s next after high school? ashley stewart|staff writer
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Viraj Khetan|staff writer
ollege has always been the traditional next step after high school. But while college tuition has skyrocketed tremendously over the years, the education provided has had little improvement. It has been discussed among high schoolers and academic scholars if college is really worth the cost, or if it’s even essential for a successful career. It is no secret that college tuition is becoming more and more expensive each year. Public college tuition from 1986-2017 has increased about 125.7% while the average middle-class family income has only risen by 10%. The US has one of the highest tuition prices in the developed world. A lot of students argue that they should be able to attend college based on their academics and talent rather than on their financial situation. Most students attend college in-state due to the less expensive tuition and the ability to save money by staying home. This, however, enables colleges to maintain high tuition prices. It creates less competition for colleges, making them less likely to lower costs or improve the quality of education. Due to the rise in tuition, college graduates have to deal with years of paying off student loans. The majority of high school graduates underestimate the amount of time it will take to pay off their student loan debt. Cengage, an educational and technology company, conducted a survey with college graduates. The survey conveyed that most believe that it will take about 6 years to pay off their student loan debt. However, studies show that it most likely will take about 20 years - for some, it might even be 30 years. However, there are many benefits from attending college. First and foremost, college better prepares young adults for independence. It serves as ground to be able to make mistakes and helps develop critical skills to better prepare young minds for their futures. Furthermore, it is very common to have a college degree nowadays. It has now become an expectation by many employers, for their employees to have a degree. No matter what that degree specializes in. In addition, studies also have shown that college graduates earn higher salaries. The average college graduate
earns around 71% to 136% more than high school graduates. The college experience sets students up with an array of opportunities to prepare them for their futures. From internships, career services, job fairs, and job shadowings, colleges allow their students to really explore career options. Along with the advantages of having these opportunities, colleges enable students to network with people involved in the workforce of their interest. They learn from knowledgeable professors, listen to guest speakers of desired fields, and meet business connections. The connections students build could lead to potential job opportunities and give them real-world experience, which could set them apart from the competition in the workforce.
photo coursey by Matt Ragland on Unsplash
With that being said, is a great way many are wondering to translate if there is a way one that textbook could enhance the knowledge cited benefits of colinto real-world lege while softening experience. its negative reperPerforming cussions. Because meaningful photo courtesy by Vasily Koloda on Unsplash of this, a growing number of tasks in a field of interest will high school seniors are now considering the option of taking a give students the exposure and development they need to recgap year, as opposed to the traditional college route. ognize potential career paths, build a network of relationships, A gap year is a period of time, typically taken before college and deepen soft skills such as leadership, communication, and enrollment, in which students have the opportunity to take a time management. break from academics. During this break, students are encouraged to discover themselves, find their interests, and uncover Volunteer their passions through various activities as they prepare for Nothing feels better than giving back to your community. their next life stage. And although some activities aren’t appro- Providing your time and skills to help others is an excellent way priate yet amid COVID-19, there are still plenty of activities to to implement a productive gap year. Aside from meeting new consider that are both safe and beneficial. people or building professional skills useful in the workforce, volunteering gives the opportunity to gain a new perspective on Get a Job one’s life. Being able to immerse yourself within a new culture Getting a job is a great way to understand more about yourself while contributing toward a meaningful cause is invaluable, and your interests. College students often speculate on which which makes volunteerism even more beneficial to students. classes to take, evaluating their majors based on further ca- Volunteering can even improve one’s mental health - according reer paths. But getting a job and gaining work experience can to Greater Good Magazine, “Those who volunteered at least fast-track the speculation process, turning blind judgment into once a month reported better mental health than participants informed decision-making. Working can enhance your back- who volunteered infrequently or not at all.” ground knowledge, help to move further in a field, and strengthFor many students, high school was a rigorous and demanding en hard skills such as writing, management, or computer pro- journey. While college tuition is yet another burden to stress gramming. about, having the time to pause and reflect could give students a better insight of direction, making the transition smoother to Get an Internship college, work, and life ahead. Learning concepts in the classroom will only take you so far. Getting an internship or joining an experiential learning program
20 MADAME VICE PRESIDENT’S IMMEDIATE IMPACT sara boddie | copy editor
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reaking through several glass ceilings at once, Vice President Kamala Harris has made history as the first Black, South Asian, and female Vice President. The daughter of a Jamacian father and Indian mother, Harris attended high school in Quebec where her mother worked as a professor before enrolling at Howard University for four years of undergraduate studies. She studied and earned degrees in economics and political science. In an increasingly diverse nation, Harris represents America’s multicultural fabric - an image yet to be reflected in the nation’s second highest ranking executive, until now. Thousands of girls all around the country see their origins and upbringings characterized in Harris. Having role models with traits similar to one’s own has been scientifically proven to improve one’s motivation and future aspirations. For Sydney Wilson (11), Harris’s success in her journey to vice presidency has solidified her desire to become a lawyer. “I plan on going into the same career field as Kamala Harris when she began her career… I actually want to go to Howard just like she did… seeing her succeed is very inspiring.” Many others, like Sydney, have gained further interest in pursuing law and/or politics after watching Harris’s ascent in both domains. By the same token, students’ interests in attending an historically black college or university (HBCU) have spiked. Debunking many false beliefs about receiving a limited education from attending an HBCU, Harris and
several other notable African American Howard alumnus, from Chadwick Boseman to Thurgood Marshall, have proved that attending an HBCU only expands one’s education. At Howard, Harris “found [her] sense of being and meaning and reasons for being.” She realized that it is not a niche to be Black in America. She unlearned the narrowly defined traits of Blackness, as she was immersed in a student body ranging from first generation college students to children of professionals. Harris admired how the story of Black Americans was central to every class, as opposed to being compressed into single units or a sole department. Genevieve Bavisotto (11) admires Harris for a different aspect of her historic election. Genevieve has been an advocate for women’s rights for several years. In 6th grade, she bought her teacher a “girls rule the world” plaque after noticing his preferable attitudes and greater trust to the boys in the classroom. For Genevieve, Harris’s executive position is both monumental and inspirational. “I don’t know if I would want to do anything related to what Kamala Harris does, but she definitely inspires me to break social norms in the workforce especially by holding jobs dominated by men in the past.” But with a background and track record full of firsts, attacks and skepticism from both politicians and the American people about Harris’s qualifications and experience for the job will endure.
Many GOP politicians have attacked Harris for her inexperience and several other criticisms they have of her present and past work. Some, including Former President Donald Trump, have been extremely blunt with their disapproval. “We’re not going to have a socialist president,” Trump said at a rally. “Especially not a female socialist president. We’re not gonna have it. We’re not gonna put up with it!” And at another rally, he touched more on her identity and spoke in line with racial stereotypes surrounding Black women. “Kamala, Kamala. You know, if you don’t pronounce her name exactly right, she gets very angry at you. And then she starts - you know what she does when she gets angry? She starts laughing… uncontrollably laughs. That means she’s angry.” Amid all of the criticism, Harris continues to debate with assertiveness, speak with eloquence, and converse with kindness, all contributing to the admiration that much of America feels towards her. From elementary schoolers to elders, Harris provides hope and inspiration, especially for women and people of color, not only in regards to America’s political system, but also the future. While Harris’s vice presidency is not a sign that our country has reached a comfortable level of embracing, or even accepting, diversity, it is a huge step forward in a positive direction - one that has proved impactful for future generations of America’s leaders.
photo courtesy of wikimedia commons
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February 2021
JOJO SIWA COMES OUT AS PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
Star entertainer opens up to her audience regarding her sexuality
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oJo Siwa has made quite a name for herself in recent years. After first making her way into the spotlight in 2015 through her appearance on the famed reality TV show Dance Moms, JoJo’s career further skyrocketed after the release of her song “Boomerang” in 2016. Now in 2021, JoJo Siwa has quite the impressive array of accomplishments under her belt, including a fashion accessory line, a successful concert tour, and her very own spot on Time Magazine’s
not ready to say this answer because I don’t really know this answer ... I think humans are incredible people.” JoJo later also confirmed her coming out on TikTok and was met by mostly positive responses. Later that week she made an appearance on The Tonight Show where she revealed she also had a loving girlfriend, who she would then go on to make a TikTok about to celebrate their one-month anniversary. Since her TikTok video, there has been
list of the 100 most influential people in the world, all by the age of 17. JoJo frequently connects with her audience through social media, and this past January, JoJo made it known online that she is apart of the LGBTQ+ community. Soon after posting a picture onto Twitter of her wearing a “Best Gay Cousin Ever” tee-shirt, Siwa went live on Instagram on January 23 to confirm that she was coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ community. The whole live, JoJo answered everyone’s questions in her usual upbeat and positive attitude and made it clear she appreciated all the support being given to her. When asked by a fan how she identified, she stated that “I’m
an outpouring of support for JoJo from fellow celebrities and influencers and the LGBTQ community. Although some people expressed their disapproval in the comment sections, Siwa keeps a smile on her face and remains proud of herself. Gillian Asman (12) says, “I am so proud & happy for JoJo Siwa for coming out to the world. I think it’s amazing how she has such a strong & positive influence on so many people from little kids to even adults and by her coming out I believe her message of “just be yourself” is even stronger than before showing that you don’t need to change for anyone and that you should love yourself for you.” Though there were mixed reactions
aubrey harrell | editorial board addison becker | staff writer
after JoJo posted the video of her coming out, JoJo remains unperturbed by any negative comments or actions made against her and continues to be a bright source of inspiration for many through her positive attitude. JoJo Siwa’s coming out serves as an inspiration to queer kids everywhere looking to see themselves in a celebrity, and it’s certain that JoJo Siwa will continue to be a source of positivity and strength to her massive following.
photo courtesy of Amy Sussman
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SPORTS
payton wozny | editor-in-chief
photos courtesy of anderson wozny
veronica preaskorn| editorial board
THE KICK OFF
Oakton Football season is officially underway
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t is now officially football season, and the team is off to a great start. Varsity started off with an away game against Fairfax High School on Feb 22nd, and although they didn’t bring home a win that night, the Cougars made up for it later in the week. Freshman and Junior Varsity played away at Langley High School on Feb 25, and Varsity played home on Feb 27. The Cougars swept the Saxons with three entertaining games with both Freshman and Varsity reaching victory and JV hitting a tie.
VARSITY
28 - 22
JV
14 - 14
FRESHMAN
27 - 3
During a normal season, football begins on August 1st, and they have two-a-day practices throughout the month leading up to the first game which would be August 27th. With the new high school sports season schedule set by the Virginia High School Sports League (VHSL) the fall sports season, including football, did not begin until February, however, the team
had been conditioning since earlier in the school year. The season was cut back from 10 games to 6 games with playoffs or a bowl game at the end. Safety is a number one priority for athletics. Head Coach Melvin Morgan is “being as safe as possible because at the end of the night we (the coaches and players) come home to our families and our kids and we don’t want to jeopardize them or any other family.” Before the start of practices, the players must fill out a Google form, with the now super common, “have you been in contact with…, have you had any of these symptoms…, etc.,” questions. Only once they’ve completed the form they start to head up to the field in a staggered pattern. During the actual training, they do their best to maintain social distancing, and equipment and helmets are sprayed down with disinfectant and let dry for ten minutes. Players must bring their own water bottles and must leave their mouthguards in during practices. Helmets this year have built-in face coverings. Despite the difficulties this year, Head Coach Morgan says, “we look forward to the challenge as a team, and we’re ready.”
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February 2021
JAPAN 2021 OLYMPICS
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ountries around the world come together in one loud, crowded stadium to compete against each other in a wide array of sports for the gold medal. At least, that’s what normally happens every year at the Olympic Games. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, officials were forced to postpone the 2020 Olympics, which were going to be held in Tokyo. As the Summer of 2021 approaches, Japan now faces the decision of whether to carry on with the Olympics or change their plans accordingly. Although the Japanese Prime Minister insists the 2021 Olympics will take place in July, as scheduled, Japan has had a surge of Covid-19 cases throughout the winter. Not to mention, the delay will have increased the cost of holding the Olympics from $12.6 billion to over $15 billion. As the taxes from the public help pay for the expensive games, the majority of the Japanese public is against hosting the event, with only 27% in support of the Olympics. While Japan is aware of the risks of holding the games, cancelling them would “be a huge loss of face,” says Jeff Kingston at Temple University in Tokyo. In part, this is due to Japan’s rival Beijing hosting the 2022 Olympic games. The International Olympic
Will the postponed Olympics proceed as scheduled? lucy holt | staff writer
Committee, the IOC, has decisively ruled out cancellation. Unexpectedly, Florida volunteered to host the games if Japan decides not, but that is highly unlikely. The state hasn’t physically prepared stadiums, and there are only 6 months until the designated start of the 2021 Olympics. Even the trials for the Olympics are being modified to account for social distancing. For example, instead of having one event with over 1,700 swimmers, the swimming trials will be cut into two meets. Lower-seeded swimmers will compete first in Wave I, and the two finishers of each event will go on to Wave II to compete with faster swimmers who have already qualified. Although other sports haven’t announced the details of the trials, it’s possible they will be structured similarly to the USA swimming trials. For many athletes, the delay has heavily impacted their plans. Simone Biles, an Olympics gymnast who won four gold medals, was prepared to retire after the 2020 Olympics. However, the setback caused her to delay her retirement for another year. As she puts it, "it's hard to reset the calendar and the clock when you've
photo courtesy of leonard phuah
been preparing your whole life to be ready at this certain time.” That’s to say nothing of athletes who test positive for Covid-19, who may be forced to pull out of the Olympics entirely. To ensure the spread of Covid-19 is minimized, the IOC published their first playbook, outlining the precautions that should be taken to be as safe as possible. In short, it advises people who are traveling to keep physical contact with other people to a minimum during the 14 days before traveling to Japan, follow good hygiene always, have enough masks, be ready to take a Covid-19 test at the airport, and continue to follow social distancing measures once in Japan. At this moment, the playbook only pertains to athletes, staff, or accompanying guests. The decision to allow fans and spectators may not be made until March, according to Thomas Bach, president of the IOC. However, in the stadium, fans would most likely follow the same steps as Olympics staff to avoid transmission, such as showing support for athletes by clapping and refraining from singing or chanting. Regardless of the details, Japan is determined to hold the Olympics this year, whether the Japanese public supports their decision or not.
24 DOES TOM BRADY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
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February 2021
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both photos on Left Courtesy of dwyer, michael bottom right photo courtesy of worsley, adam
staff writer || hunter tommy
Tom Brady’s Journey
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1
wenty-one years ago, a 6 foot 4, 211 pound Tom Brady stepped onto the Indianapolis Draft combine to compete for a spot in the 2000 NFL draft. The future hall of famer posted substandard stats: this included one of the worst 40 yard dashes for a Quarter Back in NFL history. However, in the 6th round of the draft, the New England Patriots drafted Tom Brady - who was likely to be used as a backup. This draft pick became known as the NFL’s biggest steal.
Tom Brady started his rookie year as a fourth-string back up and ended the year at second string. He only threw three passes and one completion. His second year,Brady was still backup but, in a game against the Jets, Starter Drew Bledsoe got injured and Tom Brady replaced him. Brady started off with sub-par passer ratings but eventually found his stride. At the end of the season, he led the Patriots into the playoffs. They fought their way through the post-season, and appeared at the Super Bowl as heavy underdogs against the St Louis Rams. The Patriots played well and won the game in the last few seconds. This game solidified Tom Brady’s role as a starter while giving the Patriots their first league championship as he became the youngest quarterback of all time to win a Super Bowl This pattern of winning would not be uncommon for Tom Brady and the Patriots. They would make the playoffs for 16 of the 18 years from 2001 to 2019 and have won the superbowl a record tying 6 times. Then, in 2020, Tom Brady announced he would leave the Patriots and go to the overall decent Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As announcers, video commentators, and journalists all over the league speculated what the next season would look like, the main question was - would Tom Brady be able to succeed without Bill Belichick - the Patriots head coach. However, Brady was able to put all their questions to rest. This year he finished the season with an 11 - 5 record and made it to the playoffs. The Patriots faced off against the Saints and Packers - two underdog games and are now going to the superbowl to play the Kansas City Chiefs. So, in conclusion, the answer to the question, “Does Tom Brady have what it takes?”,remains the same: Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time, and he has what it takes to win the Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. He has proved countless of times that he should not be underestimated.
26 THE INTERESTING START TO THE 2021 NBA SEASON How the NBA has dealt with Covid-19 this season anshul sreenivas|staff writer
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he 2021 NBA season has had an interesting beginning. Starting off with the fact that there is no in-person attendance due to Covid-19 restrictions, some players state that there is a “lack of interest and energy” since there are no fans to cheer you on as you represent your city. The favorites to win the NBA championship are the Los Angeles Lakers, but the star forward and the leader of the team LeBron James isn’t happy with some of the decisions the NBA is taking interest in. First of all, the 2019-2020 NBA season was cut short and resumed a few months later because of the Coronavirus. The season was reopened in a bubble and not all teams passed the criteria to participate in the NBA bubble, only playoff-contending teams. The two teams that competed in the NBA finals trying to win a championship had a shorter offseason compared to other teams. So in pursuit of the shorter offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat, the two teams that played in the finals, the NBA decided not to have an all-star game and give the players a break. But the NBA decided to change its plans
as of last week. They announced an all-star game will be taking place in March, and LeBron James did not like that. James is considered the face of the NBA as of today, he is arguably the greatest basketball player to ever exist, and if he doesn’t agree to some ideas it will make the NBA look bad. James believes they should not have the all-star game, as they were promised, and the players should get a break. He stated, “I will be there physically but not mentally.” This shook the NBA world, as it shows some of these players including James do not like this action the NBA is taking. Furthermore, the NBA has taken a toll on viewers from home on their games. Their fans and viewer rates have dropped ever since they started making a lot of restrictions to the season. Another factor about the Covid restrictions no fans have enjoyed is the player restrictions. If a player comes in contact with another individual who tested positive for the virus will be ruled out for at least 7 days. Recently,
Brooklyn Nets superstar, Kevin Durant, came in contact with someone who later on tested positive for the virus. Durant was taken out in the middle of the game when the team needed him the most. His team was losing the game and he had been the solution to all their problems. When the Nets were trying to find rhythm Durant was taken out of the game. The Nets ended up losing the game, and the Nets players were furious. James Harden, the Brooklyn Nets point guard stated “This is frustrating and irritating,” taking a shot at the NBA. Durant was promised before the game that he would be allowed to play, so when he was taken out of the middle of the game it really messed up the whole game. Even though this season has had a rollercoaster of a start, we all know when playoff time comes the NBA will be back to what it once was. The competition and excitement will just be too much for anyone to hate on it. Once the Coronavirus is contained, surely the NBA and all other sports industries will be back to being great. photo courtesy of keith allison
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OPINION
February 2021
HAVE THRIFT STORES BEEN GENTRIFIED? photo courtesy of prudence earl and rianne gerrits via unsplash
Thrifting has become a cornerstone of popular fashion - for better or for worse? alicia ernst || staff writer
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n the past few years, thrift stores have gained massive popularity, famous for their trendy, heavily-discounted used clothing finds some are lucky enough to snag. The internet has spawned an interest in consignment stores primarily among teenagers and young adults, a main attraction being their cheap prices and massive selection - those who have “thrifted” (shopped at a thrift store) know the rush of finding a piece worth keeping; the process almost feels like a treasure hunt. As someone who has been supporting secondhand shops their whole life, watching them gain popularity has been interesting especially in deciding if their influx in popularity is considered ethical, or rather a contribution to gentrification.
The Basics
Thrift stores are hubs for used items of unique clothing, furniture, kitchenware, books, house decor, the list goes on any previously owned item can be donated for someone else to buy for a reasonable, markeddown price. The main topic of discussion, clothing, often runs from around $4 to $10 at Goodwill (arguably the most popular consignment chain).
The Appeal of Thrifting
As clothing trends shift, so do ethics. Recently, sustainability has become an important factor in deciding where teens and millennials choose to spend their
dollars. Consignment shop stock is made up of 100% donations, meaning no labor, pollution, or process goes into sourcing merchandise - it is pre-existing, collected, and curated. Thrift shopping is a popular way to shop sustainably, as it keeps the buyers environmental footprint rather neutral; these clothes are essentially recycled, and purchasing them also means no support is being shown towards larger corporations who unethically source their textiles and labor. In fact, many non-chain, standalone thrift stores are volunteer operated and donate their proceeds to local organizations or charities of choice. In addition, goods sold at secondhand retailers can occasionally be authentic vintage or designer pieces, which are perfectly instyle for shoppers lucky enough to find them.
However...
The idea that used clothing is “trendy” or sought after may seem foriegn - thrift shops are generally known to have a target customer audience of those who reside in low-income areas and are looking for clothing at affordable prices. Many people who can manage to invest more than $5-10 in a singular clothing item argue that thrift stores should remain to supply people who can’t - not suburban teens who are looking to make a fashion statement. However, these stores receive massive
amounts of donations, and have a surplus of stock one hundred percent of the time. In fact, only nearly 20% of clothing donations Goodwill receives end up being sold on the racks. If merchandise is not purchased after a certain amount of time, it is sent to another branch of the company - the Goodwill Bins - a store in which customers buy buy clothing by the pound. Even then, an overflow of donations are still recieved, and stock must be slimmed down; in 2014, 11% of donations that were deemed as “unfit for sale” ended up going straight to landfills.
Have Thrift Stores Been Gentrified?
With these statistics in mind, a multifaceted issue is presented. Some believe thrift stores have such an abundance of stock that shopping secondhand doesn’t affect disenfranchised communities, as there is always more to sell. This opinion contradicts one that states higher-income folk should not shop at thrift stores, as it heightens the demand and therefore raises the prices, which negatively impacts the lower-income shoppers whom the store was intended for. As prices are raised to maximize profit intake primarily from wealthier shoppers, less wealthy people suffer from these markups. Many argue that this is unfair, as the well-off buyers could easily invest in brand new clothing from general retailers,
while others can not afford to spend any more than the price stated on a thrift store tag. However, it is important to examine facts that balance this moral debate. For instance, many independently owned thrift stores give 100% of their proceeds to charity, and donate their surpluses to homeless shelters. In addition, these local retailers often do not mark up their prices at all, as they are volunteer owned and receive merchandise for free through donations - chain stores such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, Unique, etc. do tend to raise their prices as more stock is sold, as they have employees, advertisements, online shopping options, and other expenses that come with having a larger platform of customers. Also, along with the rising popularity of thrifting, stores are becoming more common and accessible for those who need it. Next time you visit a thrift store, take a minute to decide where to stand morally.
28 WHY NO ONE CAN BE 100% UNBIASED nour al-kaaby | staff writer
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ulture was built on bias, what food will nurture you best, what medicinal practices nurture you best, what practices should be frowned upon and which practices are abnormal. These were all biases we as a human society have created in little groups to create a sense of community and relatability. One can also surmise the sense of community and relatability was created upon ridiculing those who don’t share the same practices and beliefs. This of course caused many social issues: racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, antisemitism, the list is endless. Humans were not programmed to be unbiased, one can only minimize the effects of their biases by being aware of them. It isn’t that humans are inherently biased, it’s that we naturally form our biases throughout life and they stay deep-rooted into us. Biases can change, for example, you can hate books at a certain moment of your life, and at another point in your life you may have learned to not mind books at all. You then see people who immensely hate books as over-exaggerators or abnormal because to you, books aren’t really that big of a deal. At the end of the day, there is always still bias. The most open-minded people will still steer away from sketchy allies for their personal safety, and that of course is a good form of bias. Bias is tricky when it comes down to movements because you can’t change most, but you can change the young, poor, and uneducated. Movements tend to try and change policies, and as we know it’s very unlikely for a young, poor, or uneducated person to be in local or national government. Movements and revolutions are looking to make the societal bias shift and historically this could take centuries, or never shift at all. We see this with feminism, racism (especially against black people), and members of the LGBTQ+ community.. These movements take centuries to get what they want because they have to try and shift the bias of old white straight men in power to believe in women’s right to vote, equal pay, equal opportunities which of course they have never had to deal with. “Living in a world where the media and influential people portray certain communities in certain ways you unconsciously will begin to associate this group of people with this characteristic,” says Awra, an activist for Middle Eastern rights in NYC. “That’s where our internal and unconscious bias comes into play. Hearing an opinion different from yours, or contrary to what you’ve heard multiple news reports stating, you will of course be biased towards your own opinion maybe without even realizing it”. What movements tend to have resorted to is manipulation, propaganda, and targeting vulnerable people such as mentioned before. Even movement’s that are promoting a better life for minorities, like the feminist movement and , movement for equal rights regardless of sexuality. Scientifically no one can be unbiased, no matter how hard we try at the end of the day human bias is hereditary. Being aware of your biases significantly reduces the effects in your life nonetheless.
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Living in a world where the media and influential people portray certain communities in certain ways you unconsciously will begin to associate this group of people with this characteristic,”
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February 2021
TO TEST OR NOT TO TEST? Why the removal of the SAT subject tests was long overdue
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he SAT’s are the dreaded bane of many upperclassmen as they begin their journey to higher education. For some, the colleges they have chosen to apply to recommend submitting the SAT subject tests. While these tests measure academic achievement, they are not an accurate measure of a student’s ability to learn and succeed in the college environment.
portia dai | staff writer an SAT subject test or were planning to, Kaylee Oh (12) says that she was only planning on taking the SAT subject test because she missed the deadline for registering for the AP exam. This goes to show how similar the SAT subject tests are to the AP exams, so much so that they are interchangeable. As such, with AP classes specifically pre-
What are the SAT subject tests? The SAT subject tests are much like the individual sections of the SAT: administered on a 200-800 point scale, there are twenty of these tests offered in five different subject areas: English, History, Languages, Mathematics, and Science. Some colleges will accept these tests to assess course placement, much like the AP exams. Why are the SAT subject tests unnecessary? If the SAT subject tests are similar to the AP exams that are so highly influential to a high school student’s career, what makes them a less viable choice? Fewer and fewer colleges are considering them in applications (only five have required them and twelve recommend them) and students registering to take the tests have plunged forty-five percent in response to these admission changes. Viewed from a financial standpoint, the SAT subject tests are simply not something that the College Board can support economically. Although a slight majority of students (53% opting to take an SAT subject test out of 76 FCPS upperclassmen surveyed) took
paring students to take the AP exam as opposed to the SAT subject test, it seems fortuitous to prepare for a completely different test from the class you are taking. Additionally, the format of the SAT subject tests, which vary from sixty to ninety-five questions, all of which are multiple-choice, doesn’t show an accurate measure of student
achievement. With little room for error and a grading curve, it isn’t hard to see why so many more students choose to take the AP exam over the SAT subject test. (2.3 million taking the AP exam as opposed to 500,000 taking the SAT subject test in 2020) The select few colleges that have required SAT subject tests have done so largely to gauge a student’s interest in niche subjects. The same, however, can be achieved through club and activity participation/leadership rather than paying the fee to take a test that students cannot express their full capabilities in. In conclusion... With so many alternatives to express college readiness and diversity in subject interests, it is no wonder that the SAT subject tests have fallen behind in registration rates. It is important to note: Colleges have never fully embraced the SAT subject tests and college advisors feel that these tests are solely ways to present yet another barrier on the way to higher education. Moreover, many colleges indicated SAT/ACT tests as optional in response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, further showing that standardized testing is not necessary to determine a student’s skill set. The long-awaited removal of the SAT subject tests will prove fruitful for both students and test administrators alike.
photo courtesy of green chameleon on unsplash
30 THE POWER OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH It’s time to reduce the power of the president lorne fowler | staff writer The Growing Power of the Executive Branch
What’s the Issue?
In his first two weeks of office, President Biden has signed 28 total executive orders, only two less than what FDR signed in his first month and who still holds the record. Over time, the amount of executive orders issued by each passing president has only ever grown and is unlikely to stop, placing far more importance on the Presidency than other branches of government and giving it far more power than was ever intended in our constitution.
As it stands, the Presidency holds an unchecked power that was never intended to exist as it is now, and puts an emphasis and focus on the Executive branch that undermines our system of checks and balances enshrined in our foundational documents. Furthermore, since the executive order essentially allows the president to pass certain legislation without the approval of congress, it undermines our system of representation that was so important to our nation’s existence. In order to prevent this increasing power of the Presidency from continuing, it is important to reel back the Executive branch to its original purpose as it is outlined within the Constitution. Through the power of Judicial Review, the process where the Supreme Court determines whether or not a law or power is constitutional, it will be possible to bring the Presidency back in line with the clear outlines and powers it is given in the Constitution. Along with this, it will be able to strengthen the power of the Legislative and reduce the importance placed on the executive branch.
History of the Executive Order The Executive order has existed since the original framing of the constitution, although without an explicit clause or section stating that the power exists. Rather, it is instead an implied power based on the President’s stated duty to faithfully carry out all laws. All presidents have at some point used the power of executive orders, but the use of it to put laws or other regulations in place really began in 1936 with FDR. Ever since his presidency, presidents from each party have increased the power of the executive order up to this point. This has culminated to a point where the Presidency now holds a greater emphasis over the U.S. Government than it was ever intended to by our founders.
photo courtesy of rené deanda
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February 2021
WHY STEROID USERS DESERVE A PLACE IN THE HALL OF FAME Barry Bonds’(and other steroid users) exclusion from Cooperstown is unwarranted. max dolinh | staff writer
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s many baseball fans know, the BBWAA decided to not elect anyone into this year’s Hall of Fame class, with even 14 writers deciding to submit a blank ballot. Curt Schilling was the closest to induction, falling about 4% short of the 75% of ballots threshold needed. Fans of other sports have looked on in confusion, as it’s hard to think that no one was deemed worthy considering that classes of multiple inductees are normal in the NFL and NBA. One might assume that maybe just this year, there was no one good enough on the ballot that warranted a spot in Cooperstown. It’s actually quite the opposite. And this year is just the icing on the cake of a longstanding problem within the BBWAA regarding their attitude in inducting new Hall of Fame members.
Other names including Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Roger Clemens, all are in the same group with Bonds: Iconic players during the 90s and 2000s who have been excluded from the hall because of PED use despite their first ballot-worthy resumes. Additionally, players Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez have been linked multiple times to steroid use, yet were inducted. If the voters had set a precedent for anyone that has been part of the PED scandal to be barred from the HOF, then it would at least be a fair stance. But when the voters don’t have a clear standard for what constitutes Hall of Fame worthiness, then it’s unfair for those who are excluded despite being just as responsible for the scandal as those who got in.
photo courtesy of ron cogswell
In a year where nobody was inducted into the Hall of Fame, it’s ironic that arguably the greatest baseball of all time was part of the excluded list. Barry Bonds was one of the biggest icons in baseball through the 90s and early 2000s. Most home runs, most MVPs, highest OPS, the list goes on and on. And something that also defined those 90s and 2000s was the use of steroids, a scandal that Bonds was thrust into as soon as it came to light. Eventually, Bonds admitted to unknowingly using them throughout his later years, tainting his career to the extent that he only has one year left on the ballot and hasn’t come close to the 75% threshold yet. Of course, cheating is never okay, but Bonds was one of many players using performance-enhancing drugs during the “Steroid Era.” And during that time, Commissioner Bud Selig(who now is part of the Hall of Fame), decided to look away from the mass steroid use to maintain the exciting play and high viewership. The league and Selig should harbor just as much of the blame as the players for the widespread use of PEDs, yet the users are punished for partaking in an activity that, while ethically wrong, was more or less encouraged.
In a perfect world, all of the MLB’s most iconic figures would be free of scandal and have accomplishments that were based on pure skill and dedication to the game. But we don’t live in a perfect world, and unfortunately, some of baseball’s greatest icons are tied to artificial methods of enhancing their prowess. The Hall of Fame is meant to showcase the individuals who have made the most meaningful contributions to baseball history. And even though those like Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa made some poor decisions throughout their careers, they were also a product of a flawed system that welcomed such behavior. And considering that combined with their accolades and overall impact during their era, it should be a no-brainer to let them in.
32 AND THEN THERE WERE THREE
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A review of Season Three of Disenchantment
etflix is notorious for its Netflix originals. Some originals hit it off with the viewers and leave them demanding more, while others get tossed into the never ending abyss of Netflix shows. A relatively new original, Disenchantment, recently released its third season on January 15, 2021. The reputation of the show was already decided when Matt Greoning, creator of Futurama and The Simpsons, announced his new project. To the surprise of many after its release in August 2018, many of those who grew up with the Simpsons deemed Greoning’s work mediocre. However, this population is older and could very well have lost touch with Greoning’s trademarked sense of humor. Disenchantment is a comedic take on medieval drama starring Tiabeanie, voiced by Abbi Jacobson, and her two misfit friends Lucy and Elfo, voiced by Eric Andre and Nat Faxon. Although technically a princess, Tiabeanie represents everything a princess is not. With her “grotesque” habits and poor manners, Tiabeanie faces many
challenges and adventures relating to life, death, innovation, and royal corruption. Disenchantment is a show that keeps one captivated and appeals to the humor of several generations. Season two left Disenchantment’s audience with a plot twist that demanded the continuation of Tiabeanie, Elfo, and Lucy’s adventure. Season three reintroduces a familiar foe from previous seasons and forces the characters to uncover the truth behind the old foe’s reappearance. At the same time, Dreamland, the kingdom left to Tiabeanie’s younger brother, is in turmoil. Dreamland’s king had suffered from a life threatening injury in the previous season and appears to be on the mend when corrupt inner groups begin to hold positions of power and gradually take control of the kingdom. The inner group’s main issue is that the former king could very easily take back the throne, so the group quickly and efficiently attempts to dispose of the king, without success . At this time, King Zog is reunited with his daughter and her friends. Working collaboratively, Zog, Tiabeanie, Elfo, and Lucy manage to make their way back to Dreamland only to have to leave again to a distant land called Steamland. Tiabeanie’s time in Steamland presents the promise of love while also allowing Tiabeanie and Elfo to explore and explain their trademarked character flaws. Season three presents its own flare to the Disenchantment series while also exploring personal topics relating to the characters. In previous seasons, the topic of romance is briefly
incorporated into the show, but the main focus is the adventure and humor of it all. Season three, however, explores romance in depth and focuses on character development as well as self realization. Season three also explores the sexuality of certain characters and ties into modern day society by presenting LGBTQ representation within the show. So, while season three differs from the previous two seasons in maturity and seriousness, it introduces new topics for the audience to enjoy and invites the audience to create a personal connection to the characters and their self realization journeys. I recommend this show to anyone and everyone who enjoys more realistic depictions of unrealistic situations. This show has a unique feel to it, but effectively displays the style of its creator and his creative approach to cartoon production. It’s a good show to put on in the background, but is also a binge worthy series that keeps your attention if you allow it to.
claudia messina | staff writer
33 FATE: THE WINX Major discrepancies SAGA and fans reactions February 2021
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veronica preaskorn|editorial board
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he announcement of a live-action version of the popular kids show, Winx Club, excited many old fans. However, once the cast lists and trailers came out, it became very obvious that Fate: The Winx Saga would be very different from the beloved animated series. The TV-MA rating was one of the first hints, seeing as Winx Club held a TV-Y7 rating.
Plot The first obvious difference in Fate is the target audience. While the animated show was clearly aimed for children, the new series is geared towards young adults with its darker themes. Within the first two minutes, a shepherd is attacked and killed in the woods, showcasing that the live-action series is shockingly altered. Later, during Specialist training, Riven reveals that he’d spent his summer getting high, and, while even in Winx Club, Riven had been the rebel of the group, he never openly did anything that is seen as unsettling or unsavory for kids. There’s also swearing, drinking, smoking, and sexual activity, a lot of which is done by Riven, earning the show a TV-MA rating. Quynhmai Nguyen, 11, grew up watching Winx Club says that the new maturity to “a show that was a deep comfort of [hers] as a child made [her] mostly sad.” While there’s support for these changes, the main argument being it’s more realistic, there is also a lot of backlash from fans, who expected a lighthearted live-action version of their favorite childhood show. Hand-in-hand with the plot change is a change of villains. Originally, Winx Club villains were always very cartoonish and changed every season. In Fate, the obvious threat was the Burned Ones, horrifying, burned creatures that were faster and stronger than any fairy, Specialist, or being. Additionally, The Trix, the original trio of villains, were merged into one character, Beatrix, who worked with Rosalind, her mentor, and the presumed-to-be-dead Andreas, who happened to also be Sky’s dad. Throughout the series, Bloom was constantly conflicted and questioning who the villain really was, at times expecting her own mentor, Headmistress Dowling. Characters and Equality One difference that has been highly praised is gender equality. Rather than all the fairies being girls and the Specialist being a male-dominated field, there were pretty even numbers in both areas. The saga also touched upon sexuality, although at times it felt as if the characters were making a joke out of it. One character, Dane, seemed interested in both Riven and Beatrix and showed both of them special interest throughout the season, to the point of Riven asking Terra then later Dane if he was gay. While Dane is never officially labelled, he makes it clear that he was attracted to both Riven and Dane. Not only is Dane an openly LGBTQ+ character, but he is one of the few racially diverse main characters, despite not being an original character in Winx Club. Nonetheless, many of the originally diverse characters were white-washed or simply not written in, causing an uproar from fans. Nylah Simpson, 11, believes that the producers “didn’t try as hard to create a diverse cast and that diminished some quality of the show.” Simpson further stated that, while she loved Fate, it would have been better if they kept the original diversity. Characters like Nabu, who is believed to be Chinese based on his traditional clothing, Helia, a Specialist who was thought to be Asian, caucasian, or a mix (despite it never being confirmed, and Flora, a Latinx fairy, were never written into the new series. Terra, a white fairy, replaced Flora, which was especially unsettling for fans. Another questionable casting decision was Musa, who was Asian in Winx Club. No one affiliated
photo courtesy of emilio garcia with the show has commented on or confirmed Musa’s race, leading to more fans questioning whether or not she was the right casting decision. Nguyen says that when watching Winx Club, she “really loved the representation! Back then, there weren’t a lot of Asian cartoon characters that [she] could identify with, but knowing that Musa exists makes [her] happy.” Relationships One of the key points of Winx Club was the cute and happy couples with few problems showcased throughout the series, but Fate took a different approach with fewer couples and more issues. Originally, all the fairies in the suite were dating different guys, mostly Specialists, but, like with everything else, Fate took a more complicated route. Rather than Bloom and Sky dating at the very start, Bloom told Sky that she was trying to avoid complications, which he would be. The show also completely cut out Stella’s love interest, Brandon, and instead made Sky and Stella exes with an unresolved past. This led to tension between Bloom and Stella, who didn’t like the attention Sky was giving Bloom. Towards the end of the series, those feelings were resolved, and Stella grew more supportive towards not just the relationship but also Bloom. Another change in relationships was Musa and Sam, Terra’s brother. Sam didn’t exist in Winx Club, and Musa and Riven dated, soon becoming a beloved couple. After a moment in Fate, fans wonder if the writers are going to bring back that relationship, and, if they do, what will happen to Sam, Beatrix, and even Terra and Musa’s friendship, which is already rocky. Riven and Beatrix became an item in the very first episode, but it is very clear from the beginning Beatrix is only interested in how he can help her.
34 COBRA KAI REVIEW What is so special about the hit netflix series? nathan henriques| staff writer
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he hit Netflix show came out in 2018 and takes place over 30 years after the karate kid saga ended. Mr. Miyagi has now sadly passed away, and Daniel Larusso is a successful married man. On the other hand, Johnny Lawerence is poor and peaked in high school. Early on, Johnny saved the main character, Miguel Diaz, from a bunch of bullies using karate. Miguel asks Johnny to teach him so that he can protect himself, and Johnny eventually says yes. Johnny buys a small place and turns it into a dojo. However, this reawakens his rivalry with Daniel Larusso. Mr. Larusso hired Johnny’s son, Robby, without knowing who he was, and Larusso ended up taking him as his karate student. A few months later, Miguel fought Robby and won in the all valley tournament but the rivalry didn’t end there. Cobra Kai and Miyagi Do recruited students and taught them with completely different philosophies. “Strike first, Strike hard, No mercy,” and the other, karate is used for defense only. As tension escalated each person had a rival on the other dojo. Eventually, a fight broke out on the first day of school. Tori fought Larusso’s daughter, Sam, Miguel fought Robby, Hawk fought Dimitri and more. Miguel vs Robby was the main event, each taking shots at each other one after another. Miguel finally pinned Robby and decided to show mercy, Robby decided to be a jerk and kick Miguel off the second level leaving Miguel in a coma. Miguel’s mom, Carmen, never wanted to see Johnny near her son again, but Johnny disobeyed like normal and tried everything in his power to help Miguel walk again. It worked as Miguel was able to fight again, but he was nowhere near his old self. John Kreese, Johnny’s old sensei was back in town, and old Cobra Kai students went straight to him after Miguel’s injury. One of those students was Hawk, who became an even more important character in season 3. Johnny tried to convince Hawk and Cobra Kai to join him, but it didn’t work. In the final episode of season 3 there was a massive fight. Cobra Kai outnumbered the rest and had the upper hand until Hawk flipped sides, as he saw an old friend getting beat up and decided it had gone too far. Hawk flipping sides completely changed the fight as Cobra Kai got what was coming for them. In the end, Johnny and Larusso decided to work together to try and take down Kreese, and it all comes down to the next All Valley in season 4, coming sometime in late 2021.
photo courtesy of lesilie jones Script: The script for Cobra Kai is okay. It had some very funny moments and some very corny moments. Characters like Johnny and Miguel had good lines and played their respective roles well. While on the other hand, characters like Sam and Robby have corny lines and are just annoying. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Cobra Kai fan, Jared Dallos, said, “The writing is great, and I’m very excited to see what they come up with in future seasons. The next seasons can get even better, but there have been a few moments that I did not like. Sam and Robby have really gotten on my bad side and their script doesn’t help.” Acting: The script is very similar to the acting, some actors were great such as Johnny, Miguel, Larusso, and several more. However, Robby’s acting has been disliked by many and it doesn’t help with certain things he has to do. There are certain scenes where Robby(Tanner Buchanan) looks like he doesn’t like what he’s doing and this happens multiple times and not just with Robby. Another character, Nate, has to do a Fortnite dance and it doesn’t look like he’s having fun. He just looks very awkward and unhappy. Dallos said, “He looks weird and I hate what the little dude has to do.” Conclusion: Cobra Kai is a top show with over 73 million people who have watched it and its best attribute was the plot. Throughout the show, there were many twists, turns, and it was suspenseful throughout each season.The acting is mediocre at best especially from specific characters and people don’t watch it for the acting. People watch it because of the plot and action. The constant fighting gets people thinking that they were the ones fighting. There was also great character development for some. People also really liked the Karate Kid which may be another reason the show is such a big hit. Jared Dallos agrees saying, “It’s really entertaining and since Karate kid was one of my favorite movies, it’s a perfect spin-off.”
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February 2021
Teenage Fashion Trends of 2020
A look-back of all the things that aubrey leverett | staff writer made the quarantine experience
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ell 2020 has certainly been a year for the books with the pandemic and other nation wide crisis we. Although as much as a disappointment this year was, there were some memorable moments with social media and fashion trends. Especially trends that were directed to teenagers. From apps like Tik Tok, Instagram, and Twitter, teenagers are used to being heavily influenced by popular trends. Here is an overview of the the diverse styles and fashion trends that came out of 2020.
TRENDS OVER 2020 Dying hair This one isn’t really a new trend but there was an exponential rise in popularity during quarantine. Looking at the general trend on social media mostly out of pure boredom. Looking at the number of hair “fails” online it can be seen that it is pretty easy to damage the hair, especially since so much bleach is involved. One of the most popular trends was to bleach the front to pieces of hair and dye them a color like magenta or green. It was popularized by influencers and became a staple fashion statement in early 2020. Piercings Again just the same as the hair-dye, piercing the skin obviously has to be on this list. Whether it was an ear, a nose, or a tongue it has become a popular form of self-expression for teenagers. This year was all about your vibe, 2020 was all about arranging and stacking piercings in a way that was unique to you. Indie The meaning behind indie is subjective. After a quick google search, the exact definition is, “an aesthetic based on individuality and independence.” Considering it’s all about individuality and not conforming to a certain way like everybody feels free to take it in whichever direction you want! Although one specific “indie style” might be popular, much like all the other trends the way you interpret the style is completely individual. Y2K For those of you who don’t know what Y2K is, it’s basically just a popular type of style commonly seen in the early 2000s. Some outfits consisted of tight crop tops, low-rise jeans, and bedazzled jackets. More popular items include tracksuits, platform boots, and chunky dangling jewelry. If you’re looking for inspiration take a look at Grammy red carpet looks or basically Britney Spears’s entire wardrobe.
There are a lot more types of styles to come out of 2020 including goth, urban y2k, and cottage core. These made a big impact on what was popular in the year, and what trends started off popular in 2021. The first was goth, which includes very heavy mostly black clothing. There are many subgenres of goth but revolves around some of the same concepts and main pieces. I think with the current climate and experimentation with different styles, goth and emo type wardrobe has become more mainstream and accepting. Next, is Urban Y2k. The fits are mostly comprised of fitted caps, Jordan’s or other expensive sneakers, and baggy clothing. Some accessories also include diamond grills, tinted shades, and colorful ski masks. You can find these pieces at any of your favorite retail stores, it is just about organizing and accessorizing the right way. After that, is (my personal favorite) Cottage Core, known as C.C for short. Just like goth has many different subgenres, and the outfits mostly consist of flow-like gowns or dresses, very nature-like and minimalist, colorful pastels, and simple platform shoes. Corsets and long skirts are very common along with dresses with sweaters. Layering is key to achieve the cottage core look. Remember there are many different ways to dress and as long as it makes you happy then that’s all that is important. Of course, there are many other styles rapidly trending and even more great ones to come out in 2021. Make sure to research and find good stores to shop at for whichever styles you may choose, and it can be helpful to look at different reviews as well. But most importantly have fun customizing and changing your style!
Photo courtesy of bestaliproducts.com
36
HO
W TO USE A
MACHINE D A E R B
A shortcut to experiencing a quarantine classic
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hen quarantine started, many people took to baking. It provided a comforting, familiar activity and product, helping one to destress amidst uncertainty and hours of extra time. For one reason or another, bread seemed to be a popular project. Many people happily endured the process of traditional bread making, which is quite laborious. Olivia Allison (12) poured many hours into her bread making, experimenting with a variety of types using intricate methods and special materials. “The process is very involved because it starts with a living or-
ganism which is the yeast starter. I had to practice feeding it, folding the dough, shaping, playing with timing and temperature, hydration levels, and baking it a variety of ways,” she explains. There’s definitely something magical and special about losing one’s cares in traditional bread making, but it does require a lot of energy and attention. So, over quarantine, some people have taken to more of an abbreviated experience: they have utilized bread machines, which are countertop appliances that automatically transform a pile of ingredients into a fresh loaf. For some, the appeal of a bread ma-
chine is undeniable, as one can go about the day without ever dirtying their fingers, but still experience the quaint aura of fresh bread developing nearby. Looking back to the beginning of quarantine, from midMarch to mid-April of 2020, bread machine sales were more than quadrupled compared to 2019. For a while, it actually seemed difficult to secure a device because they were being snatched up so intensely, but it seems bread machines are more readily available now. Seeing that people are still at home for long periods of time, it could be a worthwhile purchase.
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February 2021
Personally, my family has had a Zojirushi bread machine for years. It’s quite reliable, and it makes the process of producing a loaf of white or wheat bread very simple. If you’re considering investing in one of these efficient appliances, read on to learn how to use a Zojirushi bread machine. Start by setting the time on the bread machine so it will indicate when the final product will be ready. The entire process will take about four hours, during which you don’t need to be actively involved whatsoever. Next, grab the pail. Ensure the kneading pin is inserted into the side and the paddle is fully pushed into the bottom. Add your ingredients, in this case starting with a cup of warm water, a quarter-ounce packet of
bread machine yeast, and two tablespoons of sugar. Bread recipes tend to be quite simple, in my experience; this one also calls for three cups of bread flour, a quarter cup of vegetable oil, and a teaspoon of salt, which you can add on top. Insert the pail into the bread machine’s enclosure, ensuring it is rooted tightly in the bottom and won’t shuffle around. Close the lid of the machine, select the basic white bread and medium darkness settings, and push start. If you don’t want to consciously wait four hours for bread, you can consider turning on the machine before bedtime and setting it to start the process in the middle of the night. This way, you will wake up to the smell of fresh bread. In this case, opt to
put the yeast at the top of your pile of ingredients to ensure it doesn’t get activated until the bread making process begins. With a bread machine, making bread can be as simple as adding ingredients and returning about four hours later to enjoy a slice. Everything from mixing and kneading the dough, to letting it rise, to baking it is completely automated. There’s certainly something to be said for experimenting and losing oneself in the process of traditional bread making, but investing in a bread maker is an ideal way to get a taste of the experience without as much attention or energy. Sources: Digital Trends, SparkRecipes, AARP, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, People.com
haley longfellow | editorial board
38 THE HISTORY OF PETS AT THE WHITE HOUSE The bizarre yet adorable First Pets
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February 2021
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hroughout history, dozens of American presidents have housed their beloved pets in the White House during their presidency. From dogs to parrots, these pets always brought a smile to our presidents’ faces. Recently, the Oakton Outlook had the opportunity to interview Mr. Giambattista who worked for the Secret Service for 31 years. Throughout his service, he met a multitude of presidential pets, from President Reagan’s Rex to President Obama’s Bo. He was asked why he thinks pets were so popular with presidents. “It’s a comfort to the presidents,because [the dogs] are never unhappy.” Mr. Giambattista went on to say that the past presidents used their pets to blow off steam in many ways,and that they always put a smile on the presdient’s face. Being the president of the United State can be stressful and demanding, and their furry, feathery, or scaly friends help them unwind and take a break.
harriet limkin | staff writer
John F. Kennedy had enough pets to rival George Washington. With almost 20 pets, he was never lacking a furry friend. According to the Presidential Pet Museum, JFK was the first president to request that the White House dogs greet him at the helicopter when returning to the White House, starting a trend that many of his predecessors followed. Not only did he have dogs, he also had a myriad of ponies and horses, and tourists often caught his young children riding through the White House grounds.
Abraham Lincoln had a passion for rescuing animals, leading to many finding a home in the White House. He had goats, rabbits, dogs, horses, and even a pet pig! According to the Presidential Pet Museum, his son, Tad, shared the same passion and rescued a turkey from Thanksgiving dinner, leading to the modern day Thanksgiving turkey pardoning photo-op, a day where the president will let a chosen turkey live instead of get eaten.
President Biden’s two German Shepherds, Champ and Major, have recently moved into the White House, being the first dogs to live there for four years. The dogs have been heard barking in the background of press conferences, and seen running around the White House grounds. According to CNN, on January 17th, Major celebrated his “Indoguration,” being the first shelter dog in history to take up residence in the White House.
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George Washington
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America’s first president had dozens of beloved pets, including horses, hounds, and even a parrot! According to the Presidential Pet Museum, Washington had a knack for naming his pets, naming one of his hounds Sweetlips, and another Drunkard. His passion for breeding horses led to many stallions coming under his care as well. Perhaps one of the most famous of his pets was a parrot named Polly, who entertained guests. photos courtesy of the presidential pet museum and harvard university
Similar to his predecessors, Teddy Roosevelt had a passion for rescuing and befriending animals. The Roosevelt family had a host of animals, including dogs, horses, snakes, kangaroo rats, guinea pigs, cats, rabbits, and their beloved badger. In addition to all those pets, he also received a myriad of exotic animals including lions, zebras, bears, coyotes, wildcats, and hyenas.
Barack Obama didn’t have nearly as many pets as his predecessors, but his two dogs had huge personalities that more than made up for that. According to the Presidential Pet Museum, it all started when Obama promised his daughters that if he won the presidency, they’d get a puppy. From then, Bo the Porteguese water dog became a national sensation, starring in numerous children’s books along with his sister Sunny. There are even Bo plush toys for sale!
photos courtesy of the presidential pet museum and harvard university
40 INAUGURATION FASHION Stand-out looks from the 2021 Inauguration Ceremony
eileen lincoln | editorial board shevany moharir | editorial board
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anuary 20, 2021 marked the Inauguration of the 46th president Joe Biden. Sworn in amidst an ongoing global pandemic, the ceremony looked a little bit different this time around with only a handful of people present during the proceedings as opposed to the usual lineup of military parades and a packed National Mall. One thing that wasn’t missing, however, was the Inauguration fashion that sparked much conversation in the media. Four ladies, in particular, made waves with their eye-catching outfits that stood out this year.
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Michelle Obama Throughout her eight years as First Lady, Michelle Obama established herself a true fashion icon. Four years after leaving the White House, Obama proved that nothing is changed, showing up to the Inauguration Ceremony in an all-purple outfit designed by Sergio Hudson, a young Black designer from Los Angeles who also designed the shoes worn by Vice President Harris. The former First Lady once again stuck the monochromatic theme with a plum turtleneck, high waisted pants, and a matching jacket. She finished off the ensemble with an eye-catching purple leather belt, also designed by Hudson, and a black face mask to tie it all together. Obama has been known to work with young Black designers throughout her time as First Lady and after leaving the White House, so working with Hudson sent a strong message to the American public in a time filled with racial tension and divide.
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Kamala Harris
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Throughout her campaign alongside President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris’s fashion style never received a true opportunity to stand out; this was until Inauguration day, where her bold purple coat and matching dress set took the world by surprise. Her outfit was produced by Christopher John Rogers: a young, queer, Black designer from Louisana. While many hoped she would decide to wear a Black designer on Inauguration Day, this strategic choice served as a dedication to marginalized groups all over the country, who put faith in Harris as the newly-elected vice-president. Although it may be as simple as the coat and dress in which she is wearing, her outfit represented a sense of hope for the next few years, specifically for the communities who have been weakened following Trump’s presidency. Paired with the dress, she wore her signature pearls, and black heels created by Sergio Hudson. phtoto couurtesy of Wikipedia Commons
phtoto couurtesy of Ralph Alswang
Jill Biden
Many First Ladies throughout history have been known for their fashion choices, becoming a topic of conversation for major political events. From Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama, the style and elegance of these women are unmatched. Dr. Jill Biden seems to be following suit after showing up in a monochromatic outfit on Inauguration Day. Designed by Alexandra O’Neill, Biden’s outfit consisted of a matching marine blue tweed coat and dress paired with gloves and, of course, a mask. While it is common for First Ladies to wear well-known, American designers to the Inauguration ceremony, Biden surprised everyone by choosing a relatively new, unknown designer. O’Neill is a New York-based designer who founded Markarian in 2017. In doing so, she gave great exposure to the up-and-coming business in a time where being an independent designer is harder than ever.
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phtoto couurtesy of Tim Pierce
Amanda Gorman
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Young poet Amanda Gorman delivered a history speech the day of the Inauguration, aiming to portray a sense of unity within the country following the attacks on the Capitol and a controversial presidential election. Her words were matched with an outfit almost as powerful as herself; with her wearing a bright yellow trench coat paired with a red satin headband. The Prada coat she displayed to the world was actually recommended by Jill Biden herself, who “loved” the color on her. Additionally, on her finger she wore a tribute to fellow poet Maya Angelou, who performed on Inauguration day herself almost twenty years ago. The ring she wore was shaped as a caged bird, referring to Angelou’s famous poem, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. phtoto couurtesy of Carlos M. Vazquez II
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Taking inspiration from Inauguration Day fashion
Although wearing outfits identically to those displayed on Inauguration day may seem unattainable, there are many ways in which you can take inspiration from these outfits to apply in your everyday life. One of the largest examples of this is the appearance of monochromatic hues - ranging from blues, purples, and burgundys - which can be worn throughout the end of the winter and spring seasons. You can create simple monochromatic looks by simply matching similar colors of shirts and pants, jackets or skirts, or any combination in which you desire. Additionally, as seen by Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton, don’t be afraid to wear flared pants, especially within the colder months. Contrast wide-legged pants with a more tight-fitting top to achieve a sleeker look. Lastly, with the ongoing prevalence of COVID-19, learn how to accessorize masks into your outfits. Almost every clothing store now sells fabric masks, so look for specific colors and patterns of masks that will fit your own personal style. colors and patterns of masks that will fit your own personal style. phtoto couurtesy of Louis Valazquez on Unsplash
OAKTON OUTLOOK | FEBRUARY 2021
