The Granite Bay Gazette May 2021 by Julie Francesconi

GRANITE BAY HIGH w 1 GRIZZLY WAY w GRANITE BAY, CA w 95746 w VOLUME 24 w ISSUE 1 w FRIDAY, MAY 21 2021

ighting for control

The Granite Bay community struggles to maintain peace as arguments arise on how (and whether) school should reopen FOCUS, page 8-9

Gazette photo illustration/MEHAR RANGI

inside

A special 16-page Senior Edition celebrating the last four years of the graduating class of 2021.

CURRENT 2 LIFESTYLE 6 A&E 10 ATHLETICS 12 VOICES 14

We’re online at GraniteBayToday.org

Contents

Page 2

EDITOR’S NOTE

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

8&9 Disconnect NEXT EXIT

Connect NEXT EXIT

ria dhamejani rdhamejani.gazette@gmail.com

Don’t let your inconsistencies define your successes

rom schedule changes, academic changes, social changes, and personal changes — inconsistency is no longer a foreign feeling to us high school students living in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes have fueled the anger and sadness for many students’ frustrations throughout this past year, furthermore allowing it to guide our futures. As many of us move on, some going to college and others coming back for the remainder of their high school career, it is crucial we as a student body do not allow the inconsistencies of this past year define our successes as we continue to move forward. If there is anything I have learned during this unusual year, it is that things are going in the right direction if change keeps happening. In the present situation, it is so difficult to see change in a positive light, but unpredictability just means something good is bound to be in store for you. A year ago, I never would have thought that today we would have the choice to be on campus. Neither did I think we would be able to attend certain school activities. But, that in itself validates my point. Rather than challenging your inconsistencies that have arised this past year, focus on the change that has validated your efforts. The definition of normalcy today is completely different to what it was a year ago. It was different even a month ago. But, that doesn’t mean we are incapable of changing that narrative once again. Yes, maybe this high school experience did not meet our standards, but what is the point of dwelling on the past? Focus on your control at this pivotal moment, it’s what matters most. Regardless of what age or place you are at now, go out into the world and make yourself known. Be proud of yourself, you made a difference. This year was full of ups and downs, don’t discredit the position you are in today.

*** Ria Dhamejani, a junior, is a Gazette assistant editor and a rising co-editor-in-chief.

Gazette illustration/MAREESA ISLAM

4 CURRENT 2-5

2 Editor’s Note: Change is not something

that should necessarily be looked down upon. Instead of creating uncertainty, it can bring about opportunities and experiences you would otherwise not have.

3 Demographic Differences Within a

Decade: GBHS current students and alumni discuss their experiences in regards to embracing their identity in a homogenous school setting.

4 Graduation Changes for Class of 2021:

Administration announces some changes made to this year’s graduation ceremony to ensure the public’s safety.

5 AP Test Update: Through the obstacles of COVID-19, the Collegeboard makes updates and changes in regards to AP exams this year.

LIFESTYLE 6-7

6 Cancel Culture: Cancel culture has

been very prominent in today’s society, even in our own campus, prompting the question of how to call people out.

6 Goodbye Jess Borjon: RJUHSD superintendent Jess Borjon is retiring this year after working in the district for 23 years.

7 Students Balance School and Extra-

curriculars During Ramadan: Students share their experiences with maintaining their activities while fasting.

13 7 Student Government Feature: With

school in a different state this year, student government continues to unify the school and find ways for students to have fun.

FOCUS 8-9

8 Tension Rises Between School Board and Teachers: Over the course of this school year, reopening changes and decisions have created a lot of controversy due to numerous conflicting opinions within the district.

15 with signing and their future plans

12 Athletes of The Year: A feature on GBHS’ star athletes and their amazing successes. 13 Changes to the Student Section: The

student section, renamed Grizzly Nation, is returning to GBHS, in hopes of creating a more inclusive community.

VOICES 14-15

14 Change is What You Make Of It: Even

8 Students Staying Connected: Through

though seniors are starting a new beginning and change is inevitable, it’s necessary for gr owth.

9 Racial Disconnect Prompts Growth:

14 Constant Value Of Caring: Being kind

GBHS has begun to work towards a more inclusive and diverse community through different school-wide efforts.

and caring to others is an easy thing, but it goes a long way and creates ripples towards a better world.

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT 10-11

15 Asian Hate Has No Place: Model

Through reopening and COVID-19 protocols, GBHS performing arts have had to adapt.

OUR NEW ADVISER

11 Young Students on Dating Apps: With

cesconi reflects on her first year as the advisor of the Gazette.

online and hybrid learning, students adapt and find new ways to feel connected.

10 Performing Arts During COVID-19:

an increase in the use of dating apps, officers warn against the dangers of such sites.

ATHLETICS 12-13

12 Athletes Who Signed: Senior athletes share their experiences

minority status does not exempt a group of people from racism.

16 Beginning a New Legacy: Julie Fran-

SENIOR EDITION

S1-S16 A celebratory pullout magazine highlighting and honoring the resilience shown by the GBHS Class of 2021.

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

NAMES IN THE NEWS

mareesa islam mislam.gazette@gmail.com

Class of 2021 co-valedictorians and co-salutatorians announced

ongrats do the newly announced co-valedictorians Shreya Reddy and Shreya Holikatti, and co-salutatorians Lathan Skeehan and Kate Carver! Your hardwork these past four years have payed off and you will all do amazing things in the future! *** A special thank you to Linda Dickson, Bill Patterson, Angela Pozzi and Jennifer Leighton for all your time, dedication, and support you gave all the students and staff here at Granite Bay High School! Although you will always be apart of the GBHS family, you will be greatly missed. *** Congratulations to next year’s ASB President Brandon Dolan! Former ASB President Tyler Zavala will be going off to college next fall; we know you’ll do big things in life! Another congrats to Izzie Hillman who will be serving as the Class of 2022 Senior Class President next year. Thank you Olivia Galvan, the Class of 2021 Senior Class President, for all of your hard work! *** As Grizzly Nation begins its new journey, this year’s student section leaders Beau Boyan, Bella Ternero, Blake Bentley, Aynsley Conner, Christian Perry and Bo Hannum will be handing down their roles to the Class of 2022! We can’t wait to see the Grizzly fun begin again next year!

*** Mareesa Islam, a senior, is a Gazette co-editor-in-chief.

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2010 vs. 2020: Demographic differences within a decade

Alumni and students share their experiences in regards to embracing their identity in a white majority district BY MAREESA ISLAM & SOPHIA HARIMOTO

sharimoto.gazette@gmail.com mislam.gazette@gmail.com

ccording to the GBHS 2009-10 School Accountability Report Card, 24.8% of enrolled students were students of color, with a predominantly white majority of about 75.2% of the population. In contrast, according to the GBHS 2018-19 SARC, about 28.1% identified as students of color, with 66.2% of students identifying as white. While unique identities and backgrounds provide opportunities for growth, they are also what create tensions between individuals. Although GBHS is continuously growing in efforts to provide greater inclusivity, its past seems to have been less comprehensive, in terms of both the academic curriculum and the student experience as a whole. Joey McIntosh graduated from GBHS in 2011, and a majority of his experiences in highschool revolved around the challenges he faced pursuing his own identity as a gay man. “I think in my experience, I didn’t have any concept of what being LGBTQ was in the scheme of society,” McIntosh said. “I didn’t have any sort of knowledge about LGBTQ history in the United States, so I couldn’t pull anything from there for … my identity. I don’t think, for example, in any of my history classes, government classes, or health and safety classes, (sexuality) was really touched upon.” In addition to the academic curriculum, McIntosh explained there were not many resources available to him in regards to seeking clarity surrounding his sexuality. Although the Gender and Sexuality Alliance club at GBHS was present on campus at the time, they weren’t as vocal and prominent of a group as they are now. “I didn’t feel like I was comfortable having conversations about my sexuality, or sexualtiy in general, because it would have been all eyes on the one or two queer people in the class,” McIntosh said. In 2008, California Proposition 8, a ballot item against same-sex marriage, was proposed, which had a tremendous affect on LGBTQ individuals in the community. “I remember walking to school and seeing the ‘Yes on 8’ signs, and my heart hurting so much for that,” McIntosh said. “And I remember not really feeling comfortable in school because of that – seeing peers … come out and adamantly saying yes (on the ban of same-sex marriage).” McIntosh also encountered offensive comments from his teachers pertaining to homophobia, in which he did not feel comfortable speaking out against at the time. “I had a Spanish teacher (who) would make jokes about men in San Francisco wearing makeup and degrading (them), and I had a Health and Safety teacher who was very demeaning to the LGBTQ culture when talking about sex,” McIntosh said. “At the time, I kind of just went with it, but looking back at it, … it was pretty terrible.” While these hurtful experiences were memorable, McIntosh also noted that there were teachers who encouraged diversity and ensured their classroom to be a safe space for students. “I think, not only Granite Bay, but every school (needs) to have a no tolerance policy, in terms of anything. Racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia needs to be … slated,” McIntosh said.

Additionally, McIntosh was able to apply his unique high school experiences to his life and goals for the future. “My experiences in student government had very much (prepared me for my career),” McIntosh said. “I was invested in learning and growing and trying to expand my horizons.” His passion for advocacy and striving for a more inclusive, diverse community drove him to study international relations at UC Davis and work for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, advocating for equality for the LGBTQ community. Kaitlyn Chiu, a 2010 GBHS graduate, noted a different barrier as she felt that her Asian ethnicity was not the defining factor in motivating her desire to conform to society’s expectations, but rather her disparate social class. In addition to social class, Chiu also was aware of the disparities between her family’s political ideology in contrast with that of her peers. “It was very noticeable that my peers came from Republican upper-middle class white families, and I felt very different coming from a lower middle class Asian family that was very left wing,” Chiu said. “I had to learn what was appropriate to talk about and what was inappropriate to talk about to some people. Granite Bay was much more conservative than my upbringing had been.” In retrospect, Chiu says that as a high school student, she did not realize her intentions were to fit in with her white classmates. However, despite efforts to physically fit in with her peers, Chiu was able to connect with her Asian culture through the Japanese class that was discontinued in 2016. “I felt really lucky to go to a school that offered Japanese as a language course,” Chiu said. “(It) felt like an important place for a lot of other Asian students to come together. Even though I am not Japanese and a lot of my classmates were other various kinds of Asian, it felt like a nice alternative option to what was considered normal back then.”

After graduating from GBHS, Chiu went to San Francisco State University to study international relations with a minor in religion, in accordance with her passion for studying other cultures. Through greater exposure to diversity in college, Chiu realized, in hindsight, the consequential nuances of living in a predominantly white community, which was not evident to her as a high school student at the time. “When I attended college at San Francisco State, I started to realize how westernized the curriculum was at Granite Bay,” Chiu said. “(In) AP English, we didn’t have any books that were written by people of color, history classes were very Western-centric, but I didn’t really notice that when I was in high school.” Now, the major question in consideration is whether ten years later, has the situation changed in regards to minimizing the disparate experiences of marginalized individuals? “I deem myself lucky to have had a strong support system both at school and at home; (however) there still have been countless challenges that I and other students of color have faced on campus,” said senior Nancy Ediagbonya, the current president of the Black Student Union at GBHS. “One common (experience) has been hearing or being called the N-word. I think almost every black student on campus has to ignore hearing a non-black student saying the N-word at least once.” As times are constantly changing, however, Ediagbonya is optimistic that the future of GBHS will grow to become more equitable as students are more willing to use their voices to speak for change. “Over my four years at Granite Bay, there has been a heightened awareness by students that their voices are truly powerful,” Ediagbonya said. “Of course, there still is work to be done, (but) I am hopeful that their willingness to stand up for what is right will (improve) the experiences of students of color, the limited curriculum, and a school community that is at times, very divided.”

Gazette illustration/MAREESA ISLAM

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

Honoring the Class of 2021 in-person Despite the cancelation of several customary senior events, the class of 2021 will have an in-person graduation ceremony from other families. In addition to social distancing guidelines, masks must be tjones.gazette@gmail.com worn during the entire duration of the ceremony. In regards to the students, this year’s graduation will be n less than a week the class of 2021 will celebrate one of the slightly different than that of previous years. Instead of students most memorable moments of their lives. being on the field, they’ll be social distancing in the bleachDespite the constant challenges provided by the uners. Nevertheless students are still excited about their evening precedented year in canceling many notable senior events and celebration. activities, the class of 2021 will receive an in-person graduation “I am extremely excited that the school was able to give the ceremony. The ceremony will take place on May 28th at 7:00 seniors a close (with) a normal graduation,” McConkey said. p.m. in the football stadium. With COVID-19 taking many of the typical “It feels great to have cersenior events, many students are very satistainty in the event happening, fied with the decision to still host graduation since things have been very in-person. I’m glad that we get to unpredictable lately,” senior “I’m glad that we get to have this event beTyler McConkey said. “I think have this event because cause my entire class has been looking forward we are all excited that we got to this day for a very long time and it would be my entire class has been to graduate how we always devastating if we didn’t get an actual graduaenvisioned.” tion ceremony,” senior Kelly Jones said. looking forward to this day Many students feel glad that a Prior to the ceremony, it is mandatory for typical graduation ceremony is for a very long time, and students to attend graduation practice on being held this year. May 26 after Senior Breakfast. There, students it would be devastating “I am really thrilled to have will receive an envelope including graduation graduation be a definite event tickets, cords, and awards. if we didn’t get an actual because I wanted to end the The practice will take place in the stadium, year with my peers and teachers graduation ceremony. and if students are not able to attend, it is on campus in reality rather than highly encouraged to reach out to Mrs. Leigh– Kelly Jones, virtually, or the walk like last ton because students who miss practice will not year,” senior Jordan Gotham be able to walk to the stage. However, students GBHS senior said. who are attending graduation through RSVLA Keeping this in mind, the are excused from the practice. world is still facing the trials and tribulations of COVID-19. On graduation day, the ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m., Currently, Placer county is still in the red tier, meaning that the but graduates should arrive one hour prior to the start time. normal number of attendees of graduation had to be cut down Students will arrive on campus with their cap and gown in hand in order to maintain the safety of the students and staff, along to ensure attire underneath is appropriate. Decorative caps are with their families and friends. not acceptable, however, leis or other cultural traditions are For a safe ceremony, each student can bring a maximum of acceptable. 4 guests. It is recommended that tickets are given to family “Part of it comes down to the idea that we want it to be about members from the same household. Once seated, each family the entire graduating class.” Assistant Principal Gregory Sloan will be grouped together while maintaining a six feet distance said.

BY TRINITY JONES

Special to the Gazette /KAREN MITCHELL

Despite a few alterations, the Class of 2021 will have their graduation ceremony on-campus in the football stadium. For the students’ families and friends that are unable to attend tend the ceremony, a live-stream will be recorded. Overall, graduation is going to be a very exciting time for the Class of 2021; it will be a time of laughter, tears, happiness and reflection. “I think that this event will help bring my high school years to a close because it’s the last time my whole class will all be together,” Jones said. Likewise, McConkey shared a similar opinion. “I definitely feel like this event will effectively bring my highschool years to a close,” McConkey said. “At the beginning of the year I was unsure that there would be an event at all, so having a true graduation exceeded my expectations.” Not only is this specific day special for seniors, it wraps up their entire high school journey. “I think this will definitely be the best (close) to all the chaos throughout high school,” Gotham said. “(An) in-person event is the best choice for graduation, so I definitely think it will capture all of the memories here at Granite Bay.”

Mask mayhem on campus Improper face mask etiquette still remains present at GBHS BY KATHERINE WILSON

kwilson.gazette@gmail.com

Gazett e illust

ration /S

OPHIA

HARIM

OTO

o protect and prevent the spread of COVID-19, wearing a mask has become the norm. Even so, when walking around campus, many students can be spotted slipping the cloth down. Since October 12, masks have made a major impact on Granite Bay. As the restrictions rose, rivaling opinions directed towards the face coverings ascended. As a result, the tendency of incorrect mask usage ensued, even with the necessary protocols. While there is a factor of understanding to consider, there is a fine line between the two. “There’s a definite difference between slipping it down to eat and slipping it off because you don’t want to wear it,” freshman Ryan Kim said. Whether or not observed directly, many students are aware of the trend, including Kim. “I haven’t even seen much misusage of masks myself, but I know it happens even if I don’t see it,” Kim said. “It’s bound to happen regardless.” While some students may find incorrect mask usage rare, on the other hand, many see it constantly. “I always see it in the same places, like a pattern, specific classes with specific kids,” freshman Makenna Gonsiorowski said. Many concerns can be expressed in situations such as these, where a protective restriction is blatantly ignored. “We wear masks to protect others, rather than protecting

ourselves,” Gonsiorowski said. “We’re protecting them, but (those who don’t wear masks) refuse to protect us.” Not only is safety important in a situation such as this, but civility as well. “I understand that the masks are difficult to breathe through, but I truly believe in respect,” freshman Madeline Fabbre said. “I think we should wear them out of respect for everyone’s comfort and safety.” For those reasons, GBHS Teacher Jacob Mercado is on top of the issue. “I’ll see the same few kids and remind them to pull it up about three to four times a day,” Mercado explains, “For me, a mask is a way to tell someone that you care about them and their safety, and so it’s less about protection and making people feel safe.” On the other hand, there are those with opposing views on the matter. “We wear masks to stop the spread, but if anything, the pandemic has gotten worse; that says something,” Krouse said. “Now, if it makes people more comfortable, I’ll wear it. But do I believe it works? No.” Nonetheless, whether in class or walking home, the facial covering issue still stands. As the pandemic drags on, bigger groups of students are found maskless. “If you have something that’s going to keep you protected against anything, it’s only smart to utilize it,” Mercado said. “A long time ago we rode motorcycles without helmets. When we think about that now, we question how stupid we were. It’s the same with masks. All everyone can ask now is to wear it and wear it right, for everyone’s safety.”

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New AP testing schedule and format College Board announces new AP testing schedule and format to accommodate all circumstances amidst an unprecedented school year BY RILEY WATSON

rwatson.gazette@gmail.com

s COVID-19 has significantly changed the mode of instruction and the ways students learn, College Board released information regarding the changes to the 2021 AP testing format in reflection of the unprecedented circumstance. The accommodated 2021 AP schedule provides flexibility for students by offering an in-person or online format for most AP tests. In addition, College Board is offering three different administration windows in accordance with each school’s preference. GBHS has opted for the second testing window which includes both an online and in-person format during May 1821 and 24-28. Concurrently, all tests will be full in length. This is in contrast to last year’s AP exams being fully online and only 40 minutes long. “All digital testing is completely different from last year’s testing,” said Jillyan McKinney, the AP coordinator at GBHS. More recently, in April, College Board released new information regarding the online testing format including how to download the digital testing app, instructions for how to access the test, as well as many other resourceful tips and tricks. The new application required for testing has a four-step procedure detailed on the College Board website. It is recommended for students to review these instructions prior to their test date to avoid wasting time and further confusion.

AP teachers are also working hard to keep students updated and well prepared for the new exam format. “AP teachers can work with the AP coordinator and technology coordinator to confirm that students meet the requirements for digital testing,” McKinney said. However, with security concerns, the online format has additional constrictive features which differ from the in-person exam format. “I am surprised that we can’t change our answers after moving just a single question,” junior Chris Tan said. “(Also,) fulllength tests will make me cry.” Further, junior Ian Pogorelov expressed concern about people in different time zones, as people in the midwestern or eastern locations would be up much later or have to wake up much earlier depending on when a test is taken for people residing in Pacific time zones. “The part that surprised me the most is that all AP students will be taking their respective tests at the same time across the country,” Pogorelov said. “I feel really bad for people who live in Hawaii since they have to take the test early in the morning,” Despite minor inconveniences, most students, however, did not express great distaste towards any of the major changes within the rules and formatting of the AP exams. “Most of my exams stayed similar in content to pre-COVID (with only) a few minor tweaks here and there with the type and number of questions (asked),” Tan said. For others, the minor inconveniences are negligible and view the changes with a positive outlook.

2021 AP Testing Checklist STEP 1: Download and install digital testing app and log in

STEP 2: Practice with sample questions in the digital testing app STEP 3: Complete exam setup for EACH digital exam 1-3 days before testing day STEP 4: Check-in 30 minutes before exam starts

Gazette illustration/SOPHIA HARIMOTO

“The procedure is a little different, however, I think that the changes are positive,” junior Shivam Patel said. “By (providing) multiple test dates, we are given a lot of ease about missing test dates.”

Planning senior events during COVID

Administration and student government work together to host modified senior events BY CHLOE DOCTO

cdocto.gazette@gmail.com

enior year: the year filled with earned commemoration and celebration with peers after four years of hard work. For many, the events and memories made during senior year are keenly looked forward to in terms of attaining a departing gift and treasured memories before leaving high school. However with the unprecedented year provided by COVID-19, all plans for senior events seemed irresolute. “Honestly, I had high hopes that we (could) open up earlier and get a little bit more freedom, but that was not the situation,” said senior Hasan Alsakati, the senior class Vice President. Though, moving from the purple to the red

tier, as of March 14th, has allowed administra-tion and student government to delineate plans for senior events. “It was hard because we just couldn’t give them the experience they wanted so we started focusing on what we could do at the end of the year,” Assistant Principal Jennifer Buschmann said. Senior breakfast, homecoming and senior ball were the top three most requested events according to a poll conducted by the student government. However, due to COVID regulations, both homecoming and senior ball were unable to occur. “(Senior) fifth quarter was also very popular with seniors, so we wanted to make that happen, ” Buschmann said. Consequently, on April 30th, the first official school-hosted senior event took place – senior fifth quarter. Hosted in the stadium

Gazette photo /RIA DHAMEJANI

Seniors practice hypnosis techniques at senior 5th quarter, which was held outdoors on April 30th in the football stadium.

instead of the theater, the hypnotist show prevailed. “(At senior fifth quarter, the) seniors were re-ally great,” Buschmann said. “They followed all the procedures we had to implement and gave us some confidence that we can hold future events.” Administration continues to remain on the err of caution regarding any rise in COVID cases and new guidelines. “Everything comes from the California Department of Public Health or Placer County Health,” Buschmann said. “What they say mandates what we can do and what COVID procedures we have to implement.” However, even proceeding with caution does not solidify any plans that are made. “Honestly, it has been a rollercoaster because of how events work right now,” Alsakati said. “We can be finalizing an event, and it can get canceled (soon later).” Student government had the annual class picture planned to take place at senior sunrise at the beginning of the year, but with Placer County in the purple tier at the time, they were unable to execute their plan. “This year, everything up until now we’ve had to cancel,” said senior Olivia Galvan, the senior class president. Looking ahead with an optimistic lens, the school currently has planned for senior sunset, senior breakfast, senior picnic, graduation and sober grad night to occur. “We have adjusted a lot of our events, but overall have planned to make them both safe and enjoyable for everyone to attend,” Galvan said. Senior sunset, planned to take place on May 25th, plans on being an easy-going event which will allow seniors to sign yearbooks, listen to class officers talk, reminisce over freshman year letters and with fire department approval, possibly enjoy a homecoming-esque bonfire. To maintain safety, there will be no food distribution at senior sunset. “(Events were) decided based on deal breakers, such as food or masks, or (social) distancing, and we looked at our normal events and

what factors would be a deal breaker in those events,” Galvan said. Concurrently, senior breakfast is still on track to happen at 8:30 am on May 26th before graduation practice. Students must be present for graduation practice, as missing practice results in the inability for students to be able to participate in the actual graduation ceremony. “(The events were) pretty much up to (student government) to decide whether or not we should plan them, and we did everything we (could) to make them all as normal as possible,” Galvan said. Senior picnic will be held on May 27th on campus during school for seniors to hang out with friends and unwind with lawn games, music, swimming and food trucks. “(We make) sure there’s minimum-to-no contact being made, as well as (having people) seated at least four feet apart, which is the district’s restrictions,” Alsakati said. In observing COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, graduation occurring on May 28th in the stadium has limited the seating capacity. Each graduate can only bring four people to the event, and each group of four will be grouped together and socially distanced from other groups. At graduation, masks will also be required even if individuals are vaccinated. “(Be) super excited for graduation and (be ready to be) sentimental about the last four years,” Galvan said. Wrapping up the year, a parent-sponsored sober grad night will be held on Friday night, May 28th, instead of the usual Saturday morning after graduation. The event will be held at Golfland Sunsplash in Roseville, with complete access to the entire waterpark, golf course, casino and go-karts open, as well as prize drawings, live entertainment, unlimited food and more. “I think people who (are not informed) about student government events should follow the student government Instagram page, @gbhs_stugov,” said senior Tyler Zavala, the ASB President. “Also, make sure to check out the senior square portion on the GBHS website for more resources.”

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

Cancel culture: To call in or to call out?

Students and administrators discuss how to address inappropriate off-campus conduct BY ELISE FISHER

efisher.gazette@gmail.com

hile the national debate about “cancel culture” rages on, students and administrators face challenges with how to address perceived inappropriate language and actions. Whether it’s on Twitter, in the news, or in day-to-day life, the act of calling people out has grown increasingly common. This is likely in part due to how quickly messaging is spread on social media. In her class at Smith College, Professor Loretta Ross describes this 21st century phenomenon as “calling out culture,” and challenges it, suggesting that we should instead “call in.” The action of calling in is a focus on recognizing why what was said is offensive and helping people improve in the future. Earlier this year, these issues occurred within the Granite Bay community, as videos were anonymously posted on a public Instagram profile of students using the n word. When students use offensive language or slurs at school – or even off campus – the school gets involved to determine what actions should be taken to adequately address the weight of the issue. “There’s not a district (policy), ‘you must do this particular consequence’... because each situation varies so much, but there is a district wide policy against bullying and harassment, and so that’s what we quote, and follow. We take it very seriously and anything that’s brought to our attention, we do investigate,” said Jennifer Leighton, Granite Bay High School’s principal.

When evidence is presented demonstrating that accused students have used offensive language in video form, the process becomes simpler, as not much investigation is necessary. “Those aren’t hard to investigate when it’s on social media, it’s right there,” Leighton said. Such video evidence often remains online, which was the case here as the videos are being redistributed years later. “I want to say (they were posted) three years ago, and it was brought to my attention through some students,” Leighton said. Over the course of the last year, the act of calling attention to peers and coworkers actions along with the usual celebrity call out has become a more popular method of reporting incidents of racism and hate speech. “I don’t think posting about it should be our first instinct,” said GBHS junior Gazette illustration /MEHAR RANGI Layla Hayes. “I think people need to try With complex incidents involving students, administration balance accountability and and educate others and talk to them about understanding in their investigations in order to protect against bullying and harassment. it before they post it for everyone to see. I’ve seen many people get called out on all racist or similarly unjust actions. tell people that this person’s bad or this social media.” “I will usually (try) educate the person person is someone you shouldn’t be In other instances of addressing peers before because obviously some people around, but I give my opinion on it and if who have said or posted discriminatory someone else that is following me or one of just don’t understand things like that,” statements or language, GBHS freshman McLaughlin said. “I think Madeline McLaughlin has posted on Snap- my friends kind of believes the same thing think that it’s important to make sure that that the other person does, then I’d rather chat and Instagram to call attention to the they know what they’re doing is wrong. not surround myself with those people.” conduct. ‘Cancel culture’ in general for a lot of When reflecting on what is the best “It’s either racism, homophobia, anything situations is overwhelming for everyone. action to take in these situations as a just discriminatory, that people say. UsuI think that we need to be more open to bystander seeing something online or ally I will put out kind of a statement on other people’s views, but also respect what at school, McLaughlin considers what social media about what I know and just my opinion,” McLaughlin said. “I never would best prevent people from repeating minority group(s) are saying is wrong.”

Bon voyage Borjon, bonjour Becker

23-year district administrator reminisces on memories of working with staff and students at RJUHSD as his final term comes to an end and a new superintendent fills his place. BY RIA DHAMEJANI

rdhamejani.gazette@gmail.com

his past school year has been filled with both chaos and uncertainty, with numerous changes taking place at any given time. Unfortunately, as this absurd school year comes to an end, another change will be taking place. Interim Superintendent Jess Borjon has announced that his career in the Roseville Joint Union High School District will be coming to a close as he advances into the next chapter of his life — retirement. “I have been looking at this time frame for a few years now,” Borjon said. “I am a two-time cancer survivor, so I appreciate the concept of time on this earth very much. I haven’t met anyone who says they retired too early, but have met some who have felt they retired too late.” Having been able to watch students grow across the campuses in the district, Borjon’s thoughts on retirement are bittersweet as he both reminisces and cherishes his moments of being a part of RJUHSD. “The people in this district will always be the highlight for me,” Borjon said. “Regardless of the time or event or school site, the people in this district care so much for student well-being and achievement. It is a common thread that holds us all together.” Though this past year has been filled with inconsistencies and change due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Borjon has still persevered through the adversity of these challenging situations. As the district welcomes its new superintendent, John Becker, Borjon hopes that the circumstances will be much brighter. “(The pandemic has) resulted in flashes of self-centered and short-sighted behaviors by different people at different times. I am hopeful we can get past this challenging time intact and stronger than ever as a community,” Borjon said. “I have tried to live each

day giving my best, giving grace to others and searching for the positive in all situations. If you do that, good things are bound to happen.” RJUHSD administrator John Becker will begin his transition to superintendent this upcoming July. After having more than fourteen years of experience in the district, Becker was more than ready to take this opportunity. “I’m most excited about engaging the staff and students in each of our school communities,” Becker said. “We have so many outstanding programs on each campus, and I’m looking forward to ensuring all students and staff find a sense of place on their campus through authentic relationships and connection.” Becker has enjoyed being able to work in partnership with students as they combat the ups and downs of high school. As superintendent, he hopes to continue this from a more flexible position. “Life is crazy and full of challenges, and it’s a tough journey for many students, especially in today’s world,” Becker said. “Trying to support students with caring relationships, connect them to the school through quality programs, activities, or clubs and to get them to see the talent they possess is the everyday challenge I hope we all embrace.” Becker stresses the importance of his role in this district and wants all staff and students to feel comfortable and connected throughout this transition. “I respect the fact that I am leading a very important chapter Special to the Gazette /JESS BORJON in the lives of 10,000 teenagers along with a dedicated group of Interim Superintendent Jess Borjon retires teachers and staff,” Becker said. “My job is to provide the quality to spend more time with wife Laura Borjon after support for all to thrive with the hope of instilling pride in their surviving two battles with cancer. school and the Roseville Joint Union High School District.”

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

Lifestyle

Supporting students in Ramadan

Page 7

Muslims balance academics, athletics and religious duties throughout the holy month BY MARYAM MAHMOOD

mmahmood.gazette@gmail.com

pring marks the season of memorable religious observances, including Ramadan. In Islam, Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. During this time, Muslims engage in the religious activity of fasting every day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is not only about abstaining from drinking water, food and marital relations. It is more significantly about fasting from bad behaviors and strengthening one’s relationship with God, which can take form in a variety of ways. “While it is not mandatory, a huge excitement for Muslims are the nightly prayers called Taraweeh,” said Saliha Wahdy from Tarbiya Institute, a local mosque in Roseville. “Taraweeh...is when community members see each other and worship together.” Furthermore, Ramadan allows for a time for Muslims to progress in their spiritual journeys. “Personally, I read the Quran and pray five times a day during Ramadan,” senior Muna Mandoob said. Fasting during Ramadan, however, is easier said than done. For the Granite Bay High School Muslim community, it has been

difficult for students to focus on For some, fasting during the their academics while observing this academic year is almost a burden as religious month. it can drain one mentally and make “(Ramadan) is a lot more stressful it almost impossible to stay focused this year because this is my first during exams. time studying for AP exams while However, for other Muslims, fasting, so it has been more diffasting is almost second nature. ficult,” junior Saiyra Qureshi said. “The adjustment from not fasting Additionally, all school year fasting while ento fasting was a gaging in athletic relatively easy activities is also one because this a huge challenge (Ramadan) is a lot more year, the days are that some have to stressful this year because slightly shorter,” overcome. senior Sama Agwani said, “and this is my first time Iyad Majid, a being busy with junior at GBHS, school, work, participates in wa- studying for AP exams ter polo and swim. while fasting. and after school Majid brought activities helps it to his coaches’ – Saiyra Qureshi, since staying busy attention that keeps your mind GBHS junior he is observing a off the fact that fast during this you’re fasting.” religious month. Additionally, Agwani has not informed Fortunately, his coaches have been her teachers about her religious very accommodating towards that observance since fasting has not issue. hindered her in the past academi“My coaches gave me the option to sit out and rest when I was tired,” cally. On the other hand, curious Majid said. “During the remainder students wonder what it is like to of swim season, my coach only let fast for an entire day from sunrise me complete the first half of practice. In water polo, I tend to take it to sunset. easy and if I ever feel tired, I can ask “(My peers) react in many different ways,” Majid said. “They often for a sub and sit out.”

Gazette photo /MARYAM MAHMOOD

Muslim students at GBHS fast during Ramadan, physically and mentally impacting their performance in AP exams and other commitments.

seem shocked at the idea of not eating or drinking when the sun is up. However, this shock is eventually molded into respect ... they also become more humble and caring towards me, asking me how I am feeling throughout the day.”

Observing the religious month of Ramadan can be both difficult academically and physically. However, the GBHS Muslim community has persevered through it time and time again.

Student Government: A year in review

ASB works around COVID-19 restrictions to resume in-person events for the remainder of the year

without most of the events that are promised to seniors. The invitations that were supposed to be sent out to students still sit in the Student Government room as a reminder of or students at Granite Bay High School, participating in large commuthe “Lost Quarter”. nity events is a big part of the Grizzly “I can’t throw them away,” Gives said. culture that will forever leave lasting memoWith the first semester of this school year ries. In charge of these long being primarily on Zoom, lasting memories is Student Givens had a hard time tryGovernment teacher Taing to get events to roll out. mara Givens and ASB presi“When we did online We just wanted dent Tyler Zavala. With the events and games, we did restrictions of COVID-19, get the participation something to help get the not this dynamic duo plus the that we were looking for,” rest of Student Government students back on campus Givens said. “But, when have been tasked with makpeople showed up, we saw ing this last year memorable and get that sense of it as a win anyways.” for all students. Once in-person school community back. GBHS began distance resumed, however, Student learning in March of 2020. – Brandon Dolan, Government was finally Although most classes were GBHS Junior able to start blowing off able to resume a fairly the cobwebs on their event traditional curriculum, planning skills. Student Government was Although the campus was not as fortunate in navigating this. open, the idea of holding large gatherings With the expectation of returning to the still did not settle with people of GBHS. regularly scheduled school day, Student GovWhen planning for events, Student Governernment moved most of their bigger plans ment had to contemplate whether they were out a month or two thinking that they would worth pushing for. pick up where they left off. Juniors Brandon Dolan and Nathan Sahl“I totally believed that we would be back berg and sophomore Ethan Dickson were the after those two weeks and spring break so I first to make an in-person event possible. kept pushing events,” Givens said. “We just wanted something to help get the Givens pushed and rescheduled more than students back on campus and get that sense eight major events that were supposed to take of community back,” Dolan said. place. Dolan and his team of other Student Government students pulled from Granite Bay’s Unfortunately, GBHS never got that last shelf of “old events” and planned a car show. quarter back and the class of 2020 graduated

BY MAVERICK DILLON

mdillon.gazette@gmail.com

Special to the Gazette /BRANDON DOLAN

Student Government planned a car show to gather the community together on campus.

The show turned out to be a success with 22 cars showing up and over 150 people rolling in and out of the show. “I was super proud of Brandon and his committee,” Zavala said. “He worked so hard to make it possible and he was just amazing.”. So far in Student Government, the class has had to rewrite old events to fit into restrictions and rules that come along with COVID-19, and the need to bring new ideas to the table are at high demand. “Stu Gov is all about bringing culture,” Dolan said. “When no one is at school, how do you bring that culture?” For seniors like Zavala, this unprecedented year of Student Government has been an

opportunity to leave a mark on Granite Bay. “I would say it’s a time period for Stu Gov to innovate in the ways of bringing new ideas to the table,” Zavala said. This year also saw a new way that Student Government connected with GBHS students: the student government Instagram page. “Having our social media page has been such a life saver in student government,” Zavala said. In regards to the unfortunate circumstances of the school year, Zavala maintains an optimistic perspective. “You really learn how to make something special,” he said.

Focus

Pages 8 & 9

Diminishing the disconnect

Parents, teachers and school officials reflect on reopening clashes

Racial disconnect motivates reassesment and prompts growth

BY ALI JUELL

“(The goal) was always to make sure and find a way to keep our people safe … (and) keep the students as safe as we possibly can.” uring difficult and traumatic events, people and comBut despite the vitriol cast by a portion of parents towards munities are typically brought together and able to look teachers, for many members of the RE-OPEN Facebook group past their differences in order to support one another the criticism of teachers has been seen as unkind and unnecesthrough such struggles. sary in the efforts to get students back in their desks. But this year was full of surprises. “It has been frustrating to hear some parents attack teachers As many aspects of the pandemic became politicized, includduring this debate,” Shea said. “The reality is that the teachers ing masks and shut downs, communities across the country have done whatever they could to make things work with whatwere only further divided by contrasting focuses. ever format they had, and I know this year has been incredibly Unfortunately, the Granite Bay High community has been hard for them. I have made a point of praising teachers in no exception to conflict and anger relating to the reopening of nearly every communication with the board or administrators, the district. With increased social isolation and a less traditional whether in private or in public.” learning environment, many parents were eager for their chilMany teachers and students believed the health of school emdren to return to on-campus learning throughout the entirety ployees and their families was not receiving equal consideration of the fall semester. to the mental health of students. Other parents and teachers believed that the push for re“I was definitely frustrated just because all of the parents (in opening was moving too soon and too fast for their comfort. support of reopening) were really pushing for something that With online platforms acting as the primary outlet for discus- wasn’t attainable,” said Maggie Delaney, a senior. “Logically sion and debate throughout this pandemic, the issues prevalent speaking, we don’t live in a perfect world. I think that parents throughout the entirety of the school ecosystem were seemingly really weren’t taking into account teacher lives. I’ve heard too amplified by the lack of face-to-face interaction. many teachers complain … that they have their own families. “(Social media) gives us the ability to speak our minds We live in a really privileged district, instantly and anonymously, and lacks all of the nonverbal, so the fact that (parents were) complaining so much about emotional, and social cues that we would normally rely on to reopening is a little ridiculous to me.” moderate our speech in person – it’s really easy to be abusive to Frustrations piled up for many teachers throughout the one another online, in ways we would never act in person,” said course of the school year as numerous requests to teach from Robert Capps, a GBHS parent. home during the hybrid schedule “Reactions to … dissenting views due to the presence of high risk and opinions can become quite family members and children at explosive and can spill over into home were denied, the innate the real world.” difficulties of Zoom complicated It has been frustrating to hear some The increasingly partisan divistudent-teacher relationships and sion within the country relating the decision to move towards a parents attack teachers during this to the handling of the pandemic fully in-person schedule forced only added another flame to the debate. teachers to either teach through fiery debate, as the combination the Roseville Student Virtual – Gregory Shea, of politicization and impersonal Learning Academy or return to interactions prevented productive campus along with many GBHS GBHS parent conversations. students. “National politics coarsened Considering all of these factors the debate and led both sides in addition to the frustrations of to misattribute motives to the some parents, the school learning other,” said Gregory Shea, a environment inevitably experiGBHS parent in support of reopening and a member of the enced some cracks under the pressure. RE-OPEN Schools in Placer County Facebook group. “Some “We had teachers who were phoning it in (during) asynchrowho favored reopening thought that those opposed were just nous (learning),” Dell’Orto said. “But when we’re all being trying to hurt Trump. Some on the other side felt the reopenkind of thrown into the same kind of description, that is going ing group thought COVID-19 was a hoax. I think the Internet to take its toll. It causes people to just kind of start shutting and social media makes it easy to take an extremist view and down. So if, for whatever reason, the thing that motivates me attribute those views to the entire side. When I spoke with as a teacher is not there, it is something that slowly starts just people directly, opinions were much more complex.” weighing the system down.” The RE-OPEN Facebook group, which at the time of pubFor school and district administrators, it was difficult to ballication has about 3.2 thousand members, popped up at the ance varying opinions and passions in the school ecosystem. beginning of this school year as an outlet for many parents to At the individual school level, GBHS administrators had relair their frustrations with phased reopening and the protocols atively little power to shape reopening policies, but that did not in place for quarantines and athletes. mean they weren’t still involved in navigating and balancing the “I just remember sitting there one night,” said Kim Aronsen, opinions of stakeholders. the creator of the RE-OPEN Facebook group, on what com“I’ve raised three children, so as a parent, I understand the pelled her to start the collective. “I was like, ‘I have to get out passion coming from parents about getting their kids back into there and do something (to work towards reopening).’ And I the classroom and to normalcy as soon as possible,” said Jennifelt like it’s better with numbers. If we have more parents that fer Leighton, the principal at GBHS. “I was also in the classfeel the same way, we could come together and try to figure out room for over two decades and understand the passion coming something to do for these kids.” from teachers, as well as the safety concerns. As principal, I While acting as a positive point of virtual congregation don’t have the ultimate say in which activities are allowed, but I and education for those determined to bring children back do think it’s important to do whatever I can, whenever I can.” to school, a portion of the group has taken disagreements on But as the end of the pandemic appears on the horizon and reopening between anxious parents and the teachers’ union GBHS has settled into a fully in-person learning option, the as, in one parent’s own words, a “war,” different parent saying arguing has become relatively quelled by the current efforts to that teachers who voted for the district to push back in-person finish out the year on a relatively normal note. learning should be fired. Moving forward, there’s promise for the GBHS community Parents who were suspicious of teachers and the Roseville to move past the issues of this year and continue to work as a Secondary Education Association, the district’s teacher union, united front for the sake of students. But that does not mean believed that instructors didn’t want reopening or weren’t unity will return quickly. choosing to push for selfish reasons. Distrust of teachers grew “The community at large will heal, and the schools will build as the RSEA continuously requested a slower rollout of reopentrust again with the families of students – but this is unlikeing procedures, perpetuating for many the belief that teachers ly to be a fast recovery,” Capps said. “This wasn’t an issue of didn’t care about getting their students back to class. disagreement, such as whether or not to have fake turf on the “When (the union) would have negotiations and talk with sports field. This was an issue where the core values of families the district, it was never a, ‘Hell no, we’re not going to do were in conflict, where all sides were in fear of the safety of (reopening),’” said Brandon Dell’Orto, the current president of their students.” the RSEA and the AP United States History teacher at GBHS.

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

BY SOPHIA HARIMOTO

ajuell.gazette@gmail.com

me to share everything I knew. There is no detriment to having these discussions, as educating oneself is the best way to remain open-minded.” ith COVID-19 altering several customary functions, While these discussion-based conversations are progressive, on top of a national presidential election and the real change occurs through action and policy as the GBHS resurfacing of racial and social unrest, 2020 has truly administration team works to adopt preventative measures in tested the country’s resilience and perseverance. efforts to eliminate racist occurences on campus. Alongside the optimistic outlook as COVID-19 vaccination Concurrently, on a nationwide scale, the #DiversifyOurrates become more widespread alongside the digression of Narrative student-led initiative was founded in June 2020 to political controversy, deconstructing racism remains highly address and combat the lack of diversity in school curriculums. prevalent in search for solutions to address long-standing Students within RJUHSD created a district chapter consisting systemic issues. of student representatives from each comprehensive school site As reassessment and improvement efforts have increased within the district. across the country within this past year, RJUHSD, GBHS, “My motivation to join (Diversify Our Narrative) is a and student-led initiatives have worked in collaboration with culmination of my experiences as a highschooler,” said junior stakeholders in the community in efforts to adopt measures to promote inclusivity and create an equitable space for all. Tiburon Batriedo, one of the GBHS student representatives for In reflection of these efforts, the district recently hosted a DON. “As I began to join the DON team in the fall of 2020, three part community forum series designed to foster conversaI was mainly driven by a sense to enact systemic reform in my tions and discuss appropriate courses of action moving forward. community. One part of my motivation was my experience as The three part community forum series spotlighted student, a leader in Speech and Debate. As a debater, we analyze and staff, and community voices respectively. argue the statistics of economic, social, and political issues, “The first step is for us to listen,” RJUHSD interim subut as I reflected upon how I was using these statistics in my perintendent Jess Borjon said. “Without assumptions and own life, I realized the importance of pursuing change in my judgement, we have to hear what students, staff and parents are community.” saying about (the current climate). From there, we can design In addition to the conversations organized by the district and more specific outreach efforts based on what we hear.” by GBHS – many of which were in partnership with DON Consequently, in conjunction RJUHSD – DON hosts monthly with the National Equity Project Community Conversations, each – an educational reform orgacentered around a designated nization designed to transform topic or theme. the outcomes and experiences Without assumptions and judgement, “We gather community memfor individuals who have been historically underserved – the bers to discuss relevant issues we have to hear what students, staff district was encouraged to host impacting students in the district conversations with the communi- and parents are saying about (the ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to ty in order to learn from diverse the portrayal of the disabled in current climate). perspectives. Hollywood,” Batriedo said. “It’s “Even though we have been supposed to bring discussion on working in the area of equity with – Jess Borjon, issues that are not commonly the Acosta Partnership and now discussed in our schools, and I RJUHSD interim superintendent the National Equity Project for believe it has done a great job the past five years, we really hadn’t doing that. Not to say that we engaged the community directly,” don’t have work to do (because) Borjon said. “NEP had us recognize that our schools are in our we do.” communities and represent a larger community mindset. If we Beyond these community-centered conversations, DON really wanted to have an impact on our community in regards members have met with several teachers, department heads, to equity, we had to engage them somehow.” as well as the district superintendent to discuss solutions and Through facilitating these conversations, the district plans to continue to engage the community in translating the discusimplement efforts to better provide for students of all backsion-based concerns vocalized by the community members into grounds. Concurrently, DON strives to provide educational fruition. resources through its social media outlets in order to encourage “This is a long journey and will take years to have real impact growth beyond the typical textbook. and results,” Borjon said. “Phase one is intended to train, learn, “We have created social media accounts to discuss education, engage and do. Our desire is to learn more concrete applicaglobal issues, literary texts, and more to address the issue of tions of this work to improve student learning in the classroom performative social media work,” Batriedo said. “A lot of our – inquiry methods, universal design for learning, restorative posts are education focused, and one reason for this is to allow practices, diversity of curriculum. Focusing on these schoolpeople to learn about books, authors, and events relating to based areas in addition to engaging our community should go systemic oppression and discrimination that aren’t typically dishand-in-hand.” cussed in schools, as well as to showcase voices of such groups.” Additionally, on a school-specific level, GBHS – along In addition to his leadership role as a student representative, with several other schools in the district – created a student Batriedo views his position as an opportunity to learn and grow equity advisory panel where students meet with administrators alongside his peers. once a month to discuss prevalent equity issues and develop “I have learned a lot about what students my age go through appropriate response protocols. Students may voluntarily elect in school just to be able to learn,” Batriedo said. “I come from themselves to participate as a member on the panel, or may be recommended by a staff member. a position of privilege when it comes to various characteristics Senior Sahar Alaei is one of the students who participated in such as my gender status, my sexuality, and my economic the equity panel by sharing her diverse perspective as an Iranistanding. To be able to, with an open mind, attempt to unan-American immigrant. derstand the lives of other students as well as their feelings and “After joining the IB program in high school, (race and emotions – I believe it’s made me a more open person.” culture) discussions became more prevalent as we began to look Although there is still much work ahead, Batriedo is optiat works from all around the world,” Alaei said. “This made me mistic of the potential of the program in facilitating long-term feel extremely welcomed and seen; it was an experience I had change on a personal as well as on a comprehensive level. never felt prior to this time. This inspired me to talk about my “At DON, we want to change who education is for,” Batriedo experience in the equity panel.” said. “We want the best education to be for everyone. In the After proper introductions, the panelists had the opportulong-term, that means for education to encourage students to nity to answer a set of designated questions, followed by an constructively question and to be open thinkers. I believe that open-discussion forum where teachers could ask additional happens by including traditionally oppressed voices in our eduinquiries. cation, by making classrooms comfortable for everyone, and by “The best part for me personally was when we were able allowing students to have power over their education.” to answer questions that the teachers had,” Alaei said. “The general fact that we were having this conversation motivated sharimoto.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette illustration/SOPHIA HARIMOTO

Students adapt and find new ways to connect with their peers amidst remote learning BY MAREESA ISLAM

mislam.gazette@gmail.com

his year has proved nothing but our ability to remain resilient and adapt to ongoing changes. Through multiple different learning models, an overall decrease in social interaction and the constant fear of the next change, students in particular have been greatly affected by this unpredictable year. “I think social distancing affected students differently,” said Natalie Elkin, an AP Psychology teacher at GBHS. “For some, particularly those who are extraverted or are very involved in the on-campus events, they struggled quite a bit with feeling disengaged and disconnected. The lack of social stimulation can lead to depressive symptoms and diminished motivation for school work.” On the other hand however, this change in normalcy actually resulted in a more balanced lifestyle for some. “(Some students) had been living lives that were too busy and full of too many activities, sports, challenging classes, work, and social responsibilities,” Elkin said. “When their lives slowed down, they really enjoyed the slower pace and were able to pursue creative projects and hobbies that they otherwise didn’t have time for. For those students who are more introverted, it was a nice change of pace from the extroverted social world at Granite Bay.” With the introduction of remote and hybrid learning this year, the need for connection amongst peers and within classrooms was even more dire. “Remote teaching has definitely had a tremendous impact on the sense of community,” said Andrew Phillips, a NGSS Physics teacher. “When we can’t interact face to face it makes it that much harder to feel like we’re all part of the same group. It’s exacerbated

when students aren’t able to turn cameras on as well. I’d imagine it makes engaging and learning more challenging for students, and it certainly makes teaching more challenging for us as well.” For this last semester, Phillips has been teaching solely online students through the Roseville Student Virtual Learning Academy (RSVLA). Because of the lack of face-to-face interaction with his students, he has worked to create a just as engaging and communal learning environment. “I think it’s the little things (that matter) more than anything,” Phillips said. “Saying hello to each and every student is a small example. Including jokes and quotes, encouraging students to keep cameras on or participate in the chat, sharing student responses… all of these little things help to get us at least a little closer to a ‘normal’ experience.” For senior Paloma Garcia, staying connected to her friends and loved ones was just as important as feeling connected in the classroom. With this, She found herself using multiple different social media and communication platforms in order to keep in touch. “(My friends) would Facetime and do fun Zoom meetings to catch up and play games, or watch movies,” Garcia said. “We all tried to stay connected during quarantine, and I can definitely say I felt supported by them during that period of time.” Despite the challenges, students generally have been able to navigate through this difficult year, with the help of each other. “To be honest, I’m not sure what, if any, long term effect the social distancing might have on students,” Elkin said. “Kids are quite resilient and I believe most will bounce back fairly quickly.”

Arts&Entertainment

Page 10

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

A year of waiting in the wings How Granite Bay High’s performing arts plan to return

BY ANTONIO SPERANDEO

antonio.sperandeo@student.rjhsd.us

erforming arts at Granite Bay High has been unusual this year. Luckily, the staff and students have been able to persevere and make the best of what they’ve lost. There have been changes made to stay safe from the virus, though the biggest milestone has been moving from outside to inside. Choir director and musical theater teacher Susanna Peeples has a very positive outlook about what is to come of performing arts. “We have been in action for the entire year, even virtually,” Peeples said. Students and teachers have been

working around the pandemic to keep their schedule how they want it. The question that everybody has been asking is “will everything be back to normal next school year?” While it’s been difficult to get a straight answer, Peeples has done her best to quell growing concerns. “So far it’s looking like we’ll be pretty much back to normal by the summer as long as folks still wash their hands, wear masks for now, and get vaccinated when able to,” Peeples said. All anyone is doing is hoping. Since this year was different and some weren’t sure if performing arts was even going to happen, there were bound to be fewer people than usual. “There were fewer people in the

performing arts this year because of the unusual nature of not being able to play or sing inside and the start of (the Roseville Learning Academy),” Peeples said. “I imagine there will be an increase next year as things return to more of a normal school year.” Some students didn’t want to join because of the restrictions of this year and the uncertainty surrounding whether or not performing arts would even happen. For example, the award-winning Emerald Brigade marching band hit a wall in their progress during distance learning, as the entirety of their marching season was cancelled. Band director Lynn Lewis gave good detail on the ins and outs of the distanced marching band. “We play outside and maintain a six to 12 foot distance,” Lewis said.

Even in a regular year it’s difficult to multitask for students in sports and band, however it’s doubly as hard now. “Students have always been able to do multiple things and band,” Lewis said. “They are good at managing a calendar and the coaches and I work well together.” One of those students doing both band and a sport is freshman Skyler Nichol. Nichol does basketball and band. He juggles with the two sometimes, but overall makes it work. “We have to wear masks with holes in them and bell covers in order to play an instrument,” Nichol said. As of now, it appears that performing arts programs will be able to continue to perform starting fall 2021.

Gazette photo /ALI JUELL

Junior Keeley Downey plays her alto sax through her mask.

Outside the box jobs: Escape rooms

Senior Ransom Allen gives some insight on the odd job of working an escape room BY SKYLER CONLEY

skyler.conley@student.rjuhsd.us

or many high school students, a big concern is finding a job and finally gaining a semblance of financial independence and feeling more responsible. There’s a multitude of jobs for students to look at, whether it be in retail or in the food industry, however a job many might not consider is working at an escape room. Escape rooms were created in 2007 and popularized in the 2010’s. They can be great activities if you want to have fun or even for team building for employees. “My workplace is Beat the Room,” senior

Ransom Allen said. “I help run, clean and reset rooms along with answering phone calls every now and then.” Beat the Room is an escape room in Rocklin with seven different room options to choose from varying in both difficulty and theme. Rooms can be solved by two to eight participants. “Our days are dependent on the rooms people have rented for the day,” Allen said. “Some days myself and coworkers do some small talk before our first room arrives. Other days I start watching a room when I clock in.” The escape rooms are a bit different due

to COVID regulations as customers need to be scanned with a temperature gun as well as wear masks, however after that it’s normal with the employees explaining the rules and backstory to the participants. Although COVID-19 is prevalent, it won’t stop the patrons as well as the employees from having fun with the rooms. “Working there is similar to reading the last chapter of a book,” Allen said. “You know the secrets and it’s fun leading people down the right path and (watching) how they get excited.” But, like any other job, it can’t be all fun and games.

“Cons come with cleaning rooms,” Allen said. “Or when there is nothing to do for hours you’ll get bored. When no one is looking I’ll doodle on sticky notes or have small talk, but there’s something for everyone and when customers finally come in then we can get to business.” Despite the responsibility necessary for maintaining a job, it can be entertaining once the ball starts rolling. “I recommend if you like secrets and watching how people’s minds work.” Allen said. Overall, Beat the Room is a great job for those who appreciate games and mysteries.

Where we were during the pandemic A lookback one year ago vs. today

BY PIPER BACON

pbacon.gazette@gmail.com

Fall 2020

Fall 2019

ranite Bay High’s junior class during this time was struggling in the chaos of college. Impressed upon GBHS students at an early age, it consumed them. “I was determining my major (during this semester) and overall just trying to keep my head above water in the competitve atmosphere of Granite Bay,” senior Roger Leon said.

There were those who experience a sort of dissonance between the competition and their high school experience. Inevitably, no matter where they stood, there was a general air of blissful ignorance for the maelstrom that was to come. “I was having so much fun... when we got shut down (in spring,) things seemed unreal,” senior Lauren Thomas said.

e kick off our first day of school on Zoom,” Brown said. No one had any clear direction as to where things were going to go, and the board certainly didn’t know what was happening. The seniors were left with the least direction. People seemed to be on opposite standing points. Some parents organized

Spring 2020

got caught up in my own world and became obsessed with things that didn’t really matter,” Thomas said. A semester of isolation was what was in store for GBHS. All across the school, there was a massive drop in grades, attendance, and there didn’t seem to be an end in sight. It started with a two week break that bled

into summer, the aftermath trickling into the following semester. “Little did we know, this two week break would affect our last year of high school,” senior Kennedy Brown said. “Spring semester was full of a lot of firsts, but also a lot of lasts.” The semester was empty, but it would never be forgotten.

events, though were condemned by others. Hybrid began half way through the semester, though something was missing. “Finally we got to go back to school, but half our friends weren’t there,” Brown said. “Something feels like it’s missing... senior year is stripped away.”

Spring 2021

ow I am much happier as I think we all are,” Thomas said. Finally, seniors got a clear idea as to what was going on, and the answer to the one question they’ve been continuously wondering had been answered: there would be a graduation. “I feel for last year’s graduates and I feel very fortunate to be graduating this year,”

Thomas said. Engagement was improving. Mental health was improving. There was still a major struggle throughout GBHS, as most of the year’s programs and activites had been lost to the pandemic, though there was hope. “I felt in my element being able to be in person,” Leon said.

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

Arts&Entertainment

Adventure guide for Monterey Bay

Page 11

Gazette Reviews Bubble University

Great locations for coastal summer trips BY MARYAM MAHMOOD

maryam.mahmood@student.rjuhsd.us

ith summer right around the corner, having the time to relax during vacation is an absolute must at Monterey Bay. Hiking, sightseeing and discovering new restaurants all with an oceanic view. It doesn’t get better than that. wAño Nuevo State Park: This state park highlights the beautiful habitat of the elephant seals as well as a mesmerizing view of the bay. Unfortunately due to the pandemic, viewing the elephant seals is not a current option. However, you can engage yourself in a great hike that spans a total of two miles right along the coast. wPoint Lobos State Natural Reserve: The Point Lobos State Natural Reserve provides an opportunity to view the beauty of marine life. The hike features glimpses of caves and gradients of the bay waters along with the occasional sights of seals basking in the sun. The state reserve offers a myriad of hikes that one can choose from. I would recommend the Bird Island, South Plateau Trail, and Mound Meadow Trail Loop which spans as a two mile loop located in Carmel, CA. wCannery Row: While Cannery Row is not considered as a hike, it provides an avenue to view the bay while enjoying shopping areas and restaurants along the way. Additionally, Cannery Row features the bust of famous author John Steinbeck who wrote “Of Mice and Men” in the plaza that houses the restaurant The Fish Hopper. Take the day to explore the shops, restaurants and magnificent views that Cannery Row has to offer. Traditionally during Christmas time, a central tree is decorated in that plaza which also makes for a great place to take aesthetically appealing photos for the holiday season. wHarley’s Goat Farm: Harley’s Goat Farm, located in Pescadero, CA, offers an assortment of their house made goat cheese ranging from regular plain cheese to goat cheese and chives and much more. Additionally, one can view the myriad of goats at the farm which is certainly an attraction that is worth engaging in. wAsilomar State Beach and Coast Trail: Located near Pacific Grove, CA and spanning about four miles, the Asilomar State Beach and Coast Trail is

a great hike and provides scenic views of the ocean. Dogs are also welcome however they must be on a leash. Across the street from the Asilomar State Beach is the Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserves. It provides a phenomenal panoramic view of the hues of the Pacific Ocean. wSwanton Berry Farm: Offering fresh berries, produce and an assortment of organic berry jams, Swanton Berry Farm is the perfect spot to enjoy delicious food with an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean at Davenport, CA. All of the jams that are offered are organic and locally grown from the farmers. Jams include strawberry, olallieberry, strawberry-olallieberry, strawberry citrus, strawberry rhubarb, tayberry and blackberry. My personal favorite is the tayberry since it is not too sweet and has a little of a tart note. wHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park: The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park holds 21 moderate trails that are ready to be explored that range from 2.2 miles to 9.5 miles. The park aims to preserve the old redwood groves and other trees such as madrones, oak trees, ponderosa pine trees and many more. wPhil’s Fish Market and Eatery: Located at Moss Landing, CA, Phil’s Fish Market and Eatery is a great place to relax and unwind from all your strenuous hikes and enjoy local seafood. The restaurant is most famous for its Cioppino. Other recommendations include the Snapper Sand- wich and the Mediterranean Pasta that has fresh shrimp, bay scallops and other seafood in a sicilian sauce. Due to the pandemic, all orders will be done to go, however there is outdoor seating. Spaces are limited so make sure you beat the rush hour that is typically at 2 pm.

BY PIPER BACON

pbacon.gazette@gmail.com

wOrder: Thai, matcha and Iron Goddess Oolong milk teas with golden boba wMenu Highlights: Alice in Wonderland with dairy, passion fruit smoothie wAddress: 960 Sunrise Ave #105, Roseville, CA 9561 Quick Take: A great variety for everyone, whether they have a sweet tooth or prefer a more bitter tea. Gazette photo | Piper Bacon

Tickets Downfall albumtobymy artist is here BY ALI JUELL

ajuell.gazette@gmail.com

wGenre: Pop-punk wProducer : Ali Juell wSkip To: Bloody Valentine Quick Take: Kelly is able to recreate the golden era of pop-punk through his first project in the genre. He is able to ride the delicate line between exaggerating the intense emotions of sadness and lost love without coming off as a caricature.

Machine Gun Kelley

Kajillionaire BY JUSTIN HA

jha.gazette@gmail.com

wLead Actors: Evan MayaRachel Snow, LindseyGina Zabell Wood, Rodriguez wDirector: Miranda Joy wPlot Summary: “Kajillionaire” follows the journey of Old Dolio Dyne and her two con parents as they scam, cheat, and steal to survive their substandard life. Quick Take: “Kajillionaire” is a movie that refuses to let its daring experimental tone be unnoticed, but may overdose the viewer on that tone in the process.

Miranda Joy

Athletics

Page 12

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

Celebrating senior athletes who signed Exploring what colleges Granite Bay High School senior athletes have committed to and why BY ANDREW GOOZEN

andrew.goozen@student.rjuhsd.us

he 2020-21 school year has been an odd and challenging year. Senior athletes by far saw the strangest circumstances, having their seasons postponed time and time again. A handful of seniors, however, still found the opportunity to sign their letters of intent to go to college. First up, Dylan McDermott will be headed to the University of Colorado next year to play golf. “I ended up going with Colorado because of the location and it was in the Pac-12. I also really liked the team and the coach,” McDermott said. “I am really looking forward to making new friends and continuing to the next level of golf.” Next up, Senior Bella Ternero is a student-athlete who has signed to Long Beach State next year for soccer. “I chose Long Beach because of the location, style of play, the coaches, and

it has a great kinesiology program which will be my major,” Ternero said. She is really looking forward to meeting new people, growing in her soccer career and creating memories she will not forget. Ryan Gallagher headed to University of California Santa Barbra on a baseball scholarship. “I chose UCSB because it was the best fit for me and they also have an elite baseball program,” Gallagher said. “UCSB has also been my dream school since I was young. I fell in love with the location and the perfect weather all year round.” There were 21 total signed senior athletes here at GBHS including these three. All have achieved great goals and are moving on to their respective schools and add to GBHS’s academic alumni and maybe some we will see soon in major league sports. Ryan Gallagher accepted a scholarship at UC Santa Barbara and plays pitcher.

Gazette photo /ANDREW GOOZEN

Sports commentary: Empty arenas are detrimental to players and fans alike A lack of crowd participation affects teams beyond ticket revenue and fan involvement BY ANTONIO SPERANDEO

antonio.sperandeo@student.rjuhsd.us

ast year, people watching sports games on their televisions could hear fans cheering on their favorite teams. Now, all that can be heard is echos and coaches talking. For some states, a minimal amount of fans are allowed into the arena. The stadiums aren’t filled to the maximum capacity but are allowed to be about 25% full. Unfortunately, California is not one of those states. California isn’t letting a single fan into the games except staff members and people associated with the team. Many would like to go watch their local basketball or football teams play, but in this state, that hasn’t been possible. Fans miss getting to talk to their idols and maybe getting autographs that they will have for the rest of their lives. This change has also not been fair for the teams that don’t get fans. There is no home court advantage and nobody cheering for them. There are quite a few NBA teams in California, such as the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors. This leaves a lot of fans without the ability to watch professional sports in person. This especially hurts people who are die hard fans who would typically go to games on the regular. There are more than a dozen teams in the NBA that are cur-

rently allowing fans in the stands. There are 30 teams, so that would be about half of the teams gaining an advantage over the teams that are not so fortunate. Some of the stadiums allow up to 4,000 people to attend their games. Those teams include the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz. 4,000 people to cheer you on is a lot more than zero. One team, the Toronto Raptors, is based in Canada and the country did not let them even play this season. The Raptors have been playing in Tampa this season, so they haven’t even gotten to play on their home court, a huge disadvantage. The Miami Heat has Covid-19 sniffing dogs to allow people into the arena. The fans that want to watch in person stand outside the arena with their masks on, and get sniffed by the dogs. If the dog keeps moving after smelling them, they don’t detect anything but if they sit down, that person potentially has the virus and has to leave. So then teams in places like Washington, Sacramento, Portland, Oklahoma City and more are left with a disadvantage. Believe it or not, factors like cheering on the home team and distracting the opponent make a huge difference. Fans aren’t allowed to touch players, or yell inappropriate remarks at them, but they can do other things. If it is a close game down the stretch, the home team would want the crowd to cheer for them and hype them up. This could help a team greatly and build a fire in certain players to make game-winning plays. The biggest factor is when a player on the opposing team is shooting free throws, the fans sitting behind the basket do everything they can to distract them. Spectators do things such as scream at the opposition, wave funny pictures or just do funny motions. This can be absolutely huge down the stretch. Players miss their free throws quite a lot from fan distractions, so this absolutely is a big argument. If a player has one shot for

Gazette illustration/CHLOE DOCTO

the win and they get distracted and miss because of the opposing crowd, then that is a loss for them. Such an effect could have very well decided some close games this season. These changes aren’t catastrophic, but if it even decides a couple of games, that’s huge.

Athletics

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

Page 13

Athletes of the year

Senior Sophia Tastor and sophomore Yaqub Mir make the 2021 spotlight Sophia Tastor, far left, a soccer player of over 12 years, plays forward and midfielder, and has been coached by her dad David Tastor through varsity, junior varsity, and club teams. Freshman Yaqub Mir, left, plays on the varsity basketball team. He has played point guard, shooting guard and small forward over his athletic career.

BY JJ HUISH

jetty.huish@student.rjuhsd.

enior Sophia Tastor has had a phenomenal soccer career. She did not start in highschool, but was actually on the field at the age of four when she started to play the game with her sisters. Her love for the game has been fostered from a young age. “(Soccer is) an always changing game,” Tastor said. “It’s fast paced (with) tons of communication needed and even when you think you know the outcome of a game you still have to come out 100 percent because you never know what will happen.” Tastor’s biggest strength in the game of soccer is

having fun while simultaneously bringing her all to the game. She has utilized her motivation to grow as a player. “It is super important to actually love what you are doing and to have fun while doing it, otherwise there is no motivation to improve and become a better player” Tastor said. Tastor’s father, David Tastor, is a coach she has looked up to during her soccer career. He has coached her since a young age, helping to nurture her skills as a player while also contributing to her love of the game. “(Coach Tastor has) always pushed me and does not hold back on his opinion on how I played,

Gazette photo /JJ HUISH

which is important to me because I like his honesty,” Tastor said. Not only has Tastor been a part of the soccer team at Granite Bay High, but she has also been involved in theatre for all four years, as well as the club, A Touch of Understanding. She was also a player for the GBHS lacrosse team, which was a result of a lost bet to Kelly Jones, who forced her to try out for the team. After graduation, Tastor will attend the University of Washington. In the meantime she looks forward to spending time with friends and family, working, and finishing off club and high school soccer.

Gazette photo /JJ HUISH

e’s a freshman! He’s a freshman!” Echoing throughout the gym, the crowd cheered for Yaqub Mir as he ran down the court, a freshman on the varsity team. Now a sophomore, Mir is continuing to put in the work on the basketball court. “When I was younger I played multiple sports at the competitive level such as soccer, baseball, swim, basketball, track and field, and tennis, but ever since I picked up basketball I knew this was the game I loved and wanted to pursue since a young age,” Mir said. His freshman year, Mir’s high school basket-

ball career took off with him being able to start on varsity. “Starting on varsity as a freshman was a crazy fun experience. The energy in the gym after every made shot was insane, Mir said. “I’ll never forget those moments.” He remarked that the varsity experience was much different than the American Athletic Union Travel Basketball program he was used to. The energy from the student section brought a whole new rush to the game and got him hooked. By the end of his high school basketball days, Mir hopes to win a league championship at GBHS. He plans to continue

playing in college, and possibly work his way to the National Basketball Association if he gets the opportunity. Off of the basketball court, Mir is a part of many other extra curricular activities, including working at Baskin Robbins, taking piano classes and Boys Team Charity, a local charity organization that focuses on aiding the community. After school, Mir is constantly working on his game at training camps, practices and even playing on AAU teams. If he continues to put in the work, the NBA could have a GBHS alumni.

California lifts ban on outdoor sports As sports resume in spring 2021, what do the new and intense safety protocols look like? BY MATTHEW ROSS

matthew.ross@student.rjuhsd.us

uring the COVID-19 pandemic, California has been at the epicenter of outbreak. The major cities have been all but shut down weeks on end. Recently however, the state Department of Public Health announced Feb. 19 that many outdoor sports may resume play on Feb. 26. The guidance applies to all organized youth sports and recreation, including school and community-sponsored programs, and privatelyorganized clubs and leagues. These outdoor sports include football,

lacrosse, soccer, and baseball. The Roseville Joint Union Highschool District has opened up practicing and also made a schedule for league games with other schools in the RJUHSD. However, there have been no games or tournaments or playoffs of any kind with schools out of the district or state. “One of the best things that we do at highschool is to create a culture of inclusion and fun,” sports director Tim Healy said. “Mostly it’s great for the kids, I wish we could have students watching as well.” In order to play, there are many regulations and guidelines that the staff, athletes and spec-

tators must follow to ensure that everyone stays relatively safe. These requirements are pretty standard. Coaches, staff and spectators must wear masks at all times. Athletes will not have to wear masks on the field or while they are playing, but when on the sideline a mask must be worn at all times. California’s department of health also limits the observation of youth sports to immediate household members, and for the strict purpose of age appropriate supervision. This includes observation of practice and competition. “I am extremely happy to be back out on the

field with my brothers in arms to play the game I love, but I am skeptical about the safety of it all,” senior Jayden Mellinger said. “There will be no sort of barrier or deterrent for the virus, we will be face to face with our opponents.” Football will prove to be one of the most difficult to stop the respiratory particles being transmitted between participants. Both teams will have at least six to eight players face to face at the beginning of every single play. To prevent a large outbreak all players and coaching staff must take a COVID-19 test once a week. This is also the case for any physical sports like rugby, water polo, and so on.

Voices

Page 14

GAZETTE Granite Bay

GRANITE BAY HIGH SCHOOL 1 GRIZZLY WAY GRANITE BAY, CA 95746 Co-editors-in-chief: Piper Bacon Heba Bounar Sophia Harimoto Mareesa Islam Ali Juell Assistant Editor: Ria Dhamejani

Staff: Brendan Alders Megan Brown Maverick Dillon Chloe Docto Alex Felt Elise Fisher Julietta Golovey Andrew Goozen JJ Huish Trinity Jones Taylor Langford-Wilson Maryam Mahmood Eternity Martinez GL Mena Bee Mercado Mehar Rangi Matt Ross Koby Sperandeo Tony Sperandeo Riley Watson Katherine Wilson Adviser: Julie Francesconi

The Gazette is published eight times per academic year by students in the advanced journalism class at Granite Bay High School. Content is determined by the staff and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Granite Bay High School’s faculty, administration, adviser or student body. Students are protected in their exercise of press freedom by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and California Education Code 48907. Signed editorials and columns reflect the views of the writer. Letters to the editor and guest commentaries are encouraged and must be signed, although anonymity can be granted on a case-by-case basis. The editorial board reviews letters to the editor, advertising and guest commentaries and reserves the right to edit and refuse material. Reasons can include length, clarity, libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process at Granite Bay High School or violation of copyright laws.

Send Letters to the Editor to staff.gazette@gmail.com Identification Statement GRANITE BAY GAZETTE PUBLISHED EIGHT TIMES PER ACADEMIC YEAR c/o Granite Bay High School 1 Grizzly Way Granite Bay, CA 95746 Subscriptions: $25 per year/ $15 per half year

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

Change is what you make of it

ell, I guess this is the end. As such a big senior class, it’s really weird to The end of not just a school year for think that a lot of us have never even met. A the class of 2021, but also the end of lot of you probably don’t know me, and I don’t an important period of our lives. know some of you reading this. No matter how any of you feel about your As someone who has moved schools, towns time at GBHS, for many of us we have walked and houses a lot before I came to Granite Bay, I through the halls and shortwant all of you to know that cutted through the grass of change is what you make of it. the quad for four years. Well, You can choose to see it as more like three years but you something tearing you away get what I’m trying to say. from the joy you have in the This school year was almost present because it’s unfamiliar definitely one of the worst or you can see it as the opporones to ever fall on a senior tunity to start fresh, to grow as class’s shoulders, but all we can a person and to possibly create do now is be thankful for the even more amazing memories. time we had together. Who knows, you may even Even if it wasn’t as much time look back at this period of as most get, I’d say we made time and realize that, in the most of it. comparison to all that you will But regardless, it’s weird experience, you put a little too and a little scary to think that much weight on these four ajuell.gazette@gmail.com we won’t ever be students at years. Granite Bay again. Change is what forces us to Whether you’re going on to improve as people, to reflect a four-year university close or far, attending on who we were one year ago or two months community college or beginning to be a fullago or two days ago so that we can better handle time member of the workforce, many of you are what’s ahead of us. probably frightened about what your future has Many of us have already become, or are close in store. to becoming, legal adults. That comes with some For a lot of you, the Granite Bay area has been responsibility. your home for most of your life. You’ve known a Your mom doesn’t have to take you to the dentist lot of your classmates since elementary school or anymore, you can do that on your own. since middle school. There’s a lot of things that we’ll be learning to We’ve all been permanently shaped by not just do on our own now. our friends, but also by the people sitting next That’s okay, too. to us in our classes and the discussions we had It’s nice being a kid and mostly just worrying in class. Each and every one of us have been able about your Honors Pre-Calc grade or if you’re to leave an indelible mark on at least one of our gonna have a date to Winter Ball, but there’s so peers, even if they never realize it. much more that we have to look forward to.

COMMENTARY

ali juell

Even though high school was a pretty fun ride, we all have to move on eventually because, even though we will never be as free of responsibility as we are right now, life is not about staying comfortable. So now we won’t get to say we’re students at Granite Bay, we’ll only get to say we’re alumni of Granite Bay. We won’t be here anymore sitting in classrooms and hearing “Go Grizzlies!” on the loudspeaker, but we’ll always be a product of what we experienced here. It’s alright if you’re already missing Granite Bay, I think a lot of us are. It’s been hard for me to see kids picking their classes and campaigning for ASB president knowing that those things don’t apply to me anymore, that the school is already in the process of moving on without us. But just know that there are so many things for every single one of you to look forward to, people and places that you don’t even currently know exist that will be amazing and terrible parts of your life. Experiences that will lift you up and throw you down. But that’s what comes with change, the inevitably hard fought rewards that life brings when you get out of your comfort zone. It’s all a package deal; the joy can’t exist without the hardship and the fear we have for this next chapter. So goodbye class of 2021. We’ve had a really good ride, and I look forward to seeing everything that you achieve. We’ve been through a really long journey together, and I already know that a lot of you are destined for fantastic things. Just try to remember all of us when you’re famous. *** Ali Juell, a senior, is a co-editor-in-chief.

The constant value of caring In a time of polarity, the importance of amiability prevails

eing kind is important. Though that is a tions,” Curry said. “This research suggests that simple concept to understand, and is well people do indeed derive satisfaction from helping received by many people, the message of others. This is probably because we genuinely kindness can never be spread enough. care about others’ welfare, and because random Being kind is often looked at as a very simple acts of kindness are a good way of making new thing, however, there is a much deeper and friends, and kick-starting supportive social extensive effect even one act of kindness can have relationships.” on others. Being kind to others can also help one care It is like dropping a pebble onto a flat, calm more about themself. The energy someone puts pond. Once the pebble is out to the world will ultimately dropped, there is an initial be the energy they carry with splash vements in the pond themself. So putting out kind, that extend far beyond that positive energy can feel better little pebble. about yourself as a person in adWhen one person does a dition to improve the wellbeing simple act of kindness. like of others. smiling at someone, opening The youth of the world can the door for someone or just help make our world a better giving a friendly wave, those place by just simply being little acts can cause ripples kind to one another. Former of other acts of kindness Utah Supreme Court Justice, and positive energy, making and religious leader for the someone else feel happier, or Church of Jesus Christ of even making someone’s day. Latter-Day Saints, emphasised the affect our generation The simple acts can end up jhuish.gazette@gmail.com could have on the world by having a big effect. being kind. Kindness does not only “Be kind to others. Kindhelp those around you, but ness is something many of the youth are doing you can also be the recipient of the benefits of already. Some groups of youth in some comyour kindness. A study done by Dr. Oliver Scott munities have shown the way for all of us. (I) Curry, from the Institute of Cognitive and Evohave been inspired by our young people’s acts lutionary Anthropology at Oxford University, of kindness to those in need of love and help. found that when someone is kind they can feel In many ways, you give that help and show much happier and better about themselves that love to one another. (I) wish all would “‘Humans are social animals. We are happy follow (their) example”. to help family, friends, colleagues, community As we continue to grow up, let us all be kind, members and even strangers under some condi-

COMMENTARY

and set the example for the rest of the world. and set the example for the rest of the world. Obviously there are many problems with our Obviously there are many our world, it is not perfect. Butproblems if we set with the standard ofworld, kindness now, the world can be and will be a it is not perfect. But if we set the standard much better place in the future. We can be the of kindness now, on thethe world canand be cause and will be a pebbles that drop pond ripples ofmuch kindness joy.in the future. We can be the betterand place *** pebbles that drop on the pond and cause ripples JJ Huish, a sophomore, is a staff writer of kindness and joy. *** JJ Huish, a sophomore, is a staff writer.

jj huish

Gazette illustration/ALI JUELL

Voices

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

Page 15

Model minority status is not a shield The pandemic and recent events expose long held prejudices against Asian-Americans Perhaps the nicknames “Chinese Virus” and be quelled simply through hard-work and dis“Kung Flu” were simply jovial means to high- cipline. When in reality, the disproportionate light the origin of the novel coronavirus. Or, systemic barriers faced by different racial groups perhaps there was a strategic purpose of these make it inevitably more difficult for certain raclabels that is rooted so deeply underground as es to achieve the “American Dream”, regardless to bury the racist possibilities. of how hard they work. Regardless of intention, however, it is imposMy entire life, I have submitted to this myth sible to ignore the reality of the effect of these in belief that my experiences as an Asian-Amerterms in transpiring an increase in anti-Asian ican are invalid solely because of my position of hate sentiment across the country. In an analysis privilege in comparison to other marginalized conducted by the Center for the Study of Hate groups. And, while I recognize that my experiand Extremism at California State University, ences are largely incomparable to that of other San Bernardino, anti-Asian hate crimes reported minority groups, being labeled as the “model to the police have increased minority” is not a compleby 149% in 16 of America’s ment to any regard. largest cities in 2020 alone. In fact, I have even found The issue presented is that it difficult to qualify my own labeling COVID-19 as “Chiemotions pertaining to the nese” solely because of its rampant increase in antiorigin suggests responsibility, Asian hate crimes across the which consequently assigns country because I felt that blame to the Asian populaI had no authority to speak tion in turn. And, for certain out and cry foul when other individuals, this distinction racial and ethnic minoris enough to justify their ity groups have experienced need to resort to violence, as – and still continue to exif stomping on the skull of perience – covert and overt a 65-year-old elderly Asian examples of oppression and woman would somehow cure racism on an evidently magsharimoto.gazette@gmail.com the pandemic and its subsenified scale. quent problems accordingly. However, I have come to I digress. realize that in doing so, I However, racism towards Asian Americans has am further succumbing to the model minority existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic – myth by invalidating my own experiences and the only difference being that it was often im- emotions because other minority groups have plicitly disguised as a “positive stereotype”. it “worse-off”. When in reality, racism is rac“Oh, you’re smart because you are Asian.” “All ism regardless of the offense or the experience Asians are good at math.” “I’m surprised by your or the victim, and it should be condemned in grades, I expected better from someone like all instances. you.” “At least you are stereotyped to be smart; If anything, processing these recent anti-Asian that’s a good thing.” hate crimes has allowed me to become more All of these modern examples promote the empathetic to the realities of oppression and model minority myth, which historically was a racism in all forms. means to dismiss and downplay racism against Although witnessing the social and racial unAsian Americans, as well as to further perpetu- rest that transpired across the nation over this ate anti-Blackness in efforts to avoid addressing past summer with regard to the Black Lives the reality of racism altogether. Matter Movement evoked sympathy within The “successful Asian” stereotype not only me, I could not truly empathize with the Black harms Asians who do not fit into society’s pic- community’s pain. While I recognize that as an turesque definition, but it also fails to consider Asian American, I could never fully understand the variances across different racial minority their pain, seeing videos on the news of attacks groups in a flawed argument that racism can against the defenseless Asian elderly and scroll-

COMMENTARY

ing through the solidarity posts on Instagram for the countless names of the victims of antiAsian hate crimes has provided me with a new perspective in regards to what it feels like to live in fear. Watching these events take place from a position of helplessness has generated an internal rhetorical dialogue of “what ifs” – What if it was my grandmother? My grandfather? My mother? My father? My sister? My brother? What if it was me? And the hard reality is that it was someone’s grandmother, someone’s mother, someone’s sister, someone’s lover. It was someone who was innocent. It was someone who did not deserve to die. And if we as a society refuse to address the racism prevalent within our country, the

lives that have been lost will once again become statistics in the record books and trophies in the consciousness of the perpetrators. Because the unfortunate reality of living in America is that if you are not white, you are a target who may one day be in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people. *** Sophia Harimoto, a senior, is a co-editorin-chief.

sophia harimoto

Gazette illustration/ALI JUELL

The infinite importance of journalism

hat can a school newspastudent voices and experiences. per report on when there Our brainstorming days for story is no school? angles were at first full of silence, It sounds like a puzzle, but this was as each of us could only think of an issue we struggled with throughideas that centered around events out this school year. and programs that were indefinitely With no sports, clubs or student suspended. Ideas that represented government-led activities being what we wished our student body held on campus, could experience it seemed as if the instead of the realGazette’s value and ity of silence and importance was disconnect that no longer centered our school was The voice of the in the very thing facing. Granite Bay that we’re founded It at first felt as upon: reporting if we were a ship Gazette what’s happenleft adrift, but ing around our the circumstances campus. only further demonWe have of course covered other strated the importance of journalism topics that have had effects outside in a pandemic. of GBHS and done so successfully, When debates centered around but at the end of the day, the purtopics like changing the name of pose of our program is to highlight the student section and reopening

EDITORIAL

our district, the Gazette reported on standing and education. these issues in a dignified and unbiWe took on our duty as a publicaased way that allowed our students, tion to provide our community with teachers and parents of all different a point of congregation and empabeliefs to explain their opinions. thetic debate in stride despite the Amidst a time when social media difficult climate surrounding many acted as a doubleof the issues edged sword, connectfaced not only in ing our community our area but also when we were apart in our nation. but also creating a lack (The Gazette) acted as We’ve observed of responsibility in polarization to a an entity separate from the hurtful words said brand new extent around these issues, the disagreement and throughout this we were still able to school year as fulfill our purpose as a criticism to focus instead the pandemic point of education and on understanding and became more representation for our than just a global community. health probeducation. Even if our reporting lem; it became did not prevent further a culture war discussion, it acted as an entity over what comes first in our societal separate from the disagreement and values. criticism to focus instead on underIt’s easy to assume that someone

is only defined by a single belief or prerogative when that’s the only thing being recognized, but we’ve attempted to zoom out the camera lense to see the full person behind the Facebook comment or Instagram story to remind our readers of the humanity in those they disagree with. So even though we’re incredibly happy to return to a somewhat normal environment at GBHS and get to report on the topics we’ve missed like sports and extracurriculars, we’re proud of the voices we were able to highlight and the stories we covered in an attempt to bring a semblance of empathy to all the issues that so easily created demonization within our community. We’re proud of doing what we do best: journalism. ***

Gazette

Page 16

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, May 21, 2021

Lessons and challenges as a new chapter continues for The Gazette ADVISER’S NOTE

julie francesconi jfrancesconi@rjuhsd.us

Walking into room 514 the first thing you notice is 155 awards (neatly and nearly covering all available wall space) with more awards in boxes. No pressure — a huge legacy to live up to with even larger shoes to “fill.” Granite Bay High School’s journalism program is known for its integrity, high quality reporting and empowered staff writers as developed under Karl Grubaugh’s leadership. This is something I am working to continue as I am honored by the privilege of advising the program. When I reflect on the joyful times I had as a news editor for Oakmont High School’s Norse Notes from 2007-2009, the most meaningful memories I have are from collaborating and receiving mentorship from my peers. Now as an adviser, I am especially grateful for Karl Grubaugh’s ongoing mentorship. All teachers should be lifelong learners and though Grubaugh has “retired,” he is joyfully ignoring his own retirement to teach me the ropes. This was the year of letting go of control. The word that has been printed far too many times (COVID-19) in this issue created a whole host of interruptions to plans and expectations. Yet, interruption can lead to invention driven by grit and will. For the first time, staff writers created podcasts

adding in musical intros and learning new software (a big thank you to Zach Weidkamp for all the tips) from Positive Podcast, a production by Sabine Kanz covering cheerful local news, to White Passing by Ali Juell with Jillyan McKinney reflecting on the complex messages of racial identity, to Justin Ha’s spontaneous news coverage of Destiny Christian Church’s re-opening during COVID-19 closures.

Below is the mission statement the editorial staff developed at the beginning of the year and I think we have upheld this:

Bounds Broken, initated by Sophia Harimoto and Mareesa Islam, is a new online story series focuses on “breaking boundaries one barrier at a time” among underrepresented and marginalized communities. Motivated by a turbulent summer filled with racial violence and injustice, the co-editors-in-chief desired for this year’s focus to be “the race against racism” which prompted such stories as “The lasting impact of teachers of color,” “Canceled with prejudice: repercussions of the Muslim Ban” and “The Trouble with Tribe: Changing the name not the tradition.” Collectively these stories reached 682 readers, creating new touchpoints of understanding within our Granite Bay community. This year we have continued the good work of collaboration and mentorship through student leadership with our five co-editors-in-chief: Piper Bacon, Heba Bounar, Sophia Harimoto, Mareesa Islam and Ali Juell, joined by assistant editor Ria Dhamejani, at the helm. These editors led AP style lessons, coached writers on interviewing and helped writers adapt to the foreign terrain of the ignored interview request to create the ongoing news coverage of GraniteBayToday.org and now this year’s first print issue of The Gazette.

“The Granite Bay Gazette is a student run publication designed to pursue true journalistic reporting by encompassing diverse perspectives in the absence of our own bias in efforts to uphold credibility and maintain high standards of good journalism. As defenders of the truth, we reach past complacency, and continue to seek improvement of our individual capabilities as well as in this organization as a whole. We act as a voice for the community through providing reliable, insightful information in order to increase public awareness and create a more educated public.” In a year where the word unprecedented has been used more than the word “COVID-19,” I am proud of the work that my staff writers have done. We did not settle for the status quo, we adapted to the world of online publishing and created new forms of media. This is no small feat and a testament to my amazing Gazette staff. If you are interested in joining our staff in discovering and defending provisional truth irrespective of personal bias, we would love to get to know you! There are more awards to add to the wall (even if wall space is scarce,) there are new stories to cover, and as your new adviser I am eager to see what we cover next.

Thank you to the outgoing seniors Ali, Mareesa, Sophia, Heba and Piper. I understand how hard it can be to accept a new adviser (as if anyone could take beloved guru Grube’s place,) and I do not take for granted the goodwill and faith you shared with me. Thank you for teaching me as well as teaching the underclassmen what it means to be on the staff of The Gazette. I deeply admire your ability to throw yourself into the proverbial fire (in this case the harrowing jungle of Adobe Suite) and to pursue provisional truth as fully and completely as possible. Thank you for entrusting me to be your new adviser.

Gazette photos by First Last Gazette illustration/ALI JUELL

2 SENIOR EDITION 0 2 1

SENIOR EDITION / 1

Gazette photo illustration/MEHAR RANGI

2 / SENIOR EDITION

1 2 0 2 F O S S A CL

Senior Edition Table of Contents 3

Leighton’s letter

4-6

Goodbye from the senior editors

Navigating college

8-9

College map Senior superlatives

10-12

Recap: College application process

Class of 2021 recap

Growth and change

Senior scrapbook

Gazette illustration/ SOPHIA HARIMOTO

SENIOR EDITION / 3

Dear Class of 2021 Grizzlies, A year ago as I was writing a letter to last year’s graduating class, I truly never imagined what the Class of 2021 had in front of it. Although we’ve been able to get little bits and pieces back during the second half of your senior year--five days per week on campus, some activities, athletic contests and performing arts events--there’s really nothing about this year that could be called “normal”. The realization that this year was not going to look as we had hoped was something we had to get through, together. Nikki Banas writes, “If you only carry one thing throughout your entire life, let it be hope. Let it be hope that better things are always ahead. Let it be hope that you can get through even the toughest of times. Let it be hope that you are stronger than any challenge that comes your way. Let it be hope that you are exactly where you are meant to be right now, and that you are on the path to where you are meant to be...Because during these times, hope will be the very thing that carries you through.” I hope you felt honored these past few weeks, even if your senior year rolled out differently than what you expected. I hope we communicated that we cared, that we valued you, and that we were working hard to find new ways to celebrate you. And, while everything didn’t roll out perfectly, it was absolutely our privilege to walk beside you during all four of your years at Granite Bay High School. As I reflect upon my own journey here as principal, I treasure the lessons that you taught me about the importance of human connection and what really matters when the things you’ve hoped for are stripped away. You’ve also shown me what resilience looks like, that obstacles are merely short-term barriers, and that there’s no limit to what we can accomplish when we set our minds to it. When you cross the stage in a week, slow down and take a look around--it’s not only the last time you’ll see your classmates gathered as a group, but the only time this year that we’ve been able to assemble in a formal way. With a new appreciation for the tradition of “pomp and circumstance”, let’s celebrate the value of

human connection and perseverance.

Finally, I can’t wait to see what’s next for all of you as you scatter and find your places in this world. I hope you take a piece of Granite Bay High School with you always. I’ve loved being your principal,

4 / SENIOR EDITION

A goodbye from your Co-Editors-in-Chief...

Gazette photo/MAVERICK DILLON

Ali Juell Editor’s Meeting

Chat

Before I started Journalism my junior year, I was absolutely terrified of not enjoying the class. I thought the process of coming up with stories, interviewing people and having to tie in so many different perspectives would be too much for me to handle. But instead, I found all the components of crafting a story to feel like some kind of symphony that resulted in a beautiful product. Through journalism, I felt like I was able to start conversations and help promote important issues within our community. I felt like I was doing something with a lot of potential to positively impact others. I felt so blessed to have our advisor at the time, Mr. Grubaugh, encourage me in my writing and give me the room to make the stories I was interested in. I had amazing editors and friends around me that were there when I needed help and worked with me so that I had all the tools necessary to succeed. Some of my favorite memories in high school were created in the journalism room, talking about personal problems and finding a way to laugh at them, passing the time during dead weeks and talking about stories that were valuable to us. This class has always been about more than just writing stories; it’s been about

finding commonality within the newsroom to best represent the stories we’re trusted to tell. As senior year began, our class was subject to many changes outside of even the pandemic. With a new advisor, an editorial staff with little editing experience and a staff almost entirely online, we had our plates full as we tried to continue to make the journalism class a strong and impactful platform for GBHS students. It was at first overwhelming to try and continue the quality of our paper with the entirely new environment, but as an editor team, we worked hard to keep our staff’s momentum going forward. As the editor for Voices, I found it so rewarding to help my staffers project their opinions in a respectful and impactful manner. There were many times where I didn’t necessarily agree with the opinions they reflected, but I was proud and happy to have helped them throughout the process of crafting a valuable argument and discussion. They many times even helped me become more educated and empathetic towards different perspectives, which is of course the beauty of journalism. To look back at the past two years and how I’ve seen my role within this program shift, I’m proud of all that we’ve achieved in these circumstances.

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SENIOR EDITION / 5

Heba Bounar Chat

Editor’s Meeting

“Do good journalism” — three seemingly Enter Full Screen insignificant words that have impacted my life in ways I can not even clearly articulate. Through my transition to high school, I set out on a mission to find “home” on campus. I signed up for Student Government fall of my freshman year, ending the semester feeling more like a stranger than when I started. Other efforts at random clubs on campus had parallel endings. Fall of my sophomore year, I stumbled upon Room 514. I had signed up for Advanced Journalism as an elective filler for one semester. What I could not foresee was the hold journalism would have on me for the next three years, and I have Mr. Grubaugh to thank for that. Mr. Grubaugh’s classic “let’s do good journalism” to start everyday in the newsroom empowered me. It sparked an ambiance that made me feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself. My voice mattered, and I now had the platform to use it. The difference between journalism and my other failed attempts at finding passion was that it just felt natural. With journalism, I discovered my creative medium: the ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and flourish. Through the stress of fast-approaching deadlines, crafting angles for complicated stories or interviewing diverse groups of people, there Gazette photo/MEHAR RANGI is an uncertainty that must be tackled in order to produce a successful piece. It is this challenge that invigorates me.

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Besides the skill of adaptability, the most valuable lesson journalism has taught me is how to listen. I have been fortunate enough to have met and spoken with inspiring people with powerful stories, ranging from victims of suicide loss and xenophobic travel bans to cancer survivors and students with disabilities. Interviewing these people allowed me to gain a sense of understanding, empathy and connection I wouldn’t have been able to find anywhere else. It was for this reason that I decided to take over the features section of the Gazette as Co-Editor-in-Chief this year. Focusing on the human, emotional elements of people’s stories makes features my favorite section, and I am so grateful that I am able to share this art with staff writers as their mentor and editor. Senior year certainly did not meet my expectations nor exceed them. However, this unprecedented year has allowed me to grow an irrevocable bond with my fellow editors and our new advisor, Ms. Francesconi, that I would not trade for the world. The love I have for them made a year of predominantly online journalism memorable, and I can’t thank them enough for all their support, hard work and fun times. Thank you to all the writers of the Gazette for cooperating with us throughout this trying year. Thank you to everybody I have been fortunate to work with these past three years. You all shape my love for this program. To journalism, thank you for being my home. away from home.

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Mareesa Islam Editor’s Meeting

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I think I say this for everyone when I say that this year has been one of change. A year full of adaptation, and a year of reflection. However, one form of constancy for me that remained through it all was journalism. When I first enrolled in Advanced Journalism the first semester of my junior year, timid and naive, I was excited to explore my long withstanding passion for writing in a new way. Yet I never expected the truly meaningful experiences that came out of it. I remember feeling utterly scared walking into my first interview, and overwhelmingly confused on how to physically carry out my first story. It perplexed me how much “restriction,” yet freedom and stylistic flexibility journalism allows. With time, I learned to get a footing in the new literary terrain as I became an assistant editor the second semester of my junior year. Under the coaching of the dedicated editors and skilled advisor, Mr. Grubaugh, at the time, I grew more confident and willing to get out of my comfort zone. The curveball thrown by COVID-19 was difficult to overcome, but with the help of my fellow co-editors-in-chiefs, and the undoubted support of our new advisor, we were able to create a teaching environment for many new and aspiring journalists.

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Journalism isn’t just about reporting on minor school occurrences or schedule changes, but is instead capable of uplifting, enlightening, and educating the public on issues and topics that undeniably need more attention and coverage. It has the ability to change opinions, form opinions, and solidify opinions, the ability to uncover the truth of many different minds and perspectives. I have learned that each individual has their own unique truth, that may not always align with previous knowledge, but as journalists it is our job to draw light to all experiences and realities. And so, by cultivating a new generation of journalists and storytellers, we are able to better the world around us, one story at a time. The one thing that kept me going through all of the challenges and hardships brought by this year was the family the journalism classroom became. My fellow editors continued to inspire and push me to be a better leader, whilst being some of my closest friends. It has been a struggle navigating through the multitude of obstacles this year, but I would not have been able to do a fraction of it without the support around me. So thank you fellow editors, staff writers, Ms. Francesconi, and journalism, for giving me a story of my own to share.

Gazette photo/ALI JUELL

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Piper Bacon Editor’s Meeting i

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Special to the Gazette/SUSAN NASH

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In my final semester of high school, my last few weeks as an editor of the Gazette, I feel tired. I feel burnt out. A year’s worth of empty promises, unending frustration and a constant power struggle between my desires and my lack of motivation has led to a pit of exhaustion that I’ve slipped and fallen into. In spite of all this, I can say with utmost certainty that I have found bits of solace in this program. It’s been sprinkled throughout the months in little droplets of joy and accomplishment that come by the breeze. I’ve made so many new connections with those I would have never thought to connect with, and I have taken pride in seeing their growth alongside the growth of this program. I thank my new writers for coming onto the staff and providing your all. Thank you for reaching out and trusting me with the task of nurturing your voice and your passion. In these complicated times, I couldn’t have asked for a better freshman class to join our program. I thank my editors, from both present and past, for being my friends in a time when I was alone. The struggles we faced during this pandemic were not for naught, and I truly believe the program we have rebuilt will continue to leave a legacy at this school

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and continue to foster those who want their voices to be heard. Lastly, I would like to thank my advisors, Julie Francesconi and Karl Grubaugh for seeing something in me. Thank you for pushing me to grow, and for looking me in the eyes and telling me that I am meant to do great things. The memory of the faith you put in me will continue to inspire me for the rest of my days. I pray that this is not where my writing career ends. As I further my education, I hope that my writing will persist in its growth and evolution until I can finally sit back and think to myself, “There is nothing more that I could have possibly done to better my work,” and I will feel at peace. I think back fondly on what I have accomplished, and as my book comes to a close on my high school experience, it begins to overshadow the great deal that I have lost. The memories of what I loved have kept me on my feet for the drudge this year has been, and they will be something that I carry with me forever– those are the golden days of my childhood. Goodbye to the Gazette, goodbye to the class of ‘21, and goodbye to Granite Bay.

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Sophia Harimoto Editor’s Meeting

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Upon entering high school, journalism was never a consideration in my schedule. Bold of me to suggest that my clueless freshman self even had a plan to begin with; however, in truth, the idea of taking journalism had never seriously crossed my mind. When I was in middle school, I remember coming home and unfolding the Gazette like my dad used to on Sunday mornings when printed newspapers were the hot commodity. At the time, I knew I loved to write and flipping through the pages of the Gazette left me in awe of its professionalism. Subconsciously, perhaps I secretly knew I wanted to do journalism, but my pursuit in music at the time simply suppressed the possibility. However, as my interests and values changed, I decided to make the difficult decision to leave band and was encouraged to enroll in journalism my junior year. It took me one semester to fall in love with the program, and I became a co-editor-in-chief the next year. Beyond enhancing my writing and reporting skills, journalism has taught me the power of storytelling. It is through having difficult conversations and amplifying the voices of often unheard minority groups that I find myself in pure content of fulfilling my duties as a journalist. As I grew to take on more difficult stories, I have also been able to find my own voice. In

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a literal sense, hosting interviews forced me to grow beyond my introverted nature. Concurrently, in a metaphorical sense, I discovered the purpose of my voice and platform as a writer was to elevate and share other stories and experiences likewise. Additionally, especially within this past year, journalism has taught me the transferable skill of investigation, which will largely benefit me in my future endeavors in scientific research. From searching for the 2010 SARC report to digging up emails between the district and the California Public Health department, I discovered a newfound passion for investigative research. Above all, however, my experiences and accomplishments throughout the program would not have been possible without such great mentors and peers. To my fellow co-editors-in-chief, thank you for keeping me sane and working incredibly hard to make this print edition possible. To Ms. Francesconi, thank you for stepping up to the plate and consistently encouraging high standards of journalism with your enthusiasm and passion. I am confident that the program will flourish under your advisorship. And lastly, to the future journalists, I encourage you to be brave, stay curious and to go out and do good journalism.

Special to the Gazette/OLIVIA HARIMOTO

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SENIOR EDITION / 7

Dorm move-in guide Essentials for any rising college freshman BY BEE MERCADO

bmercado.gazette@gmail.

s the seniors prepare to head off to college on their own, there’s a couple of items they’ll need to have the easiest college experience possible. It’s important to be prepared for just about anything that can happen while on campus, from being sick in your dorm to needing a day to relax after finals. You never know what situations will occur, so it’s best to be prepared for everything. Here’s a list of just about anything and everything that you’ll need to have the best and easiest time possible.

Water filter

Power cord

Instead of having to get water bottles or making trips to the hall to get water just simply get a Brita filter. Not only does it help the environment but it saves you time and acts as a positive alternative to tap water.

Source/GIZMOSGADGETSGEARS.COM

In college you’re going to have a lot of things to plug in like a computer, a watch, a phone and other devices. A power strip will give you room to charge all the things you’ll need for your classes and daily life without sacrificing another device’s charge.

Source/BHPHOTOVIDEO.COM

Small tool kit

Back pillow

When moving in, you don’t account for the little things you’re going to need throughout your time on campus. Tool kits are going to come in handy when putting furniture together or just fixing anything that may break.

Source/UNCOMMONGOODS.COM

When doing school work on your bed or sitting up watching movies, a bed rest pillow will keep your head up and help with comfort. This will make it much easier to focus when your head isn’t resting against a wall.

Source/C.SHIELD.NET

Small steamer

Headphones

It can be easy to forget, but when in a small dorm you are not going to be able to bring a big iron and ironing table. This is an easy way to get wrinkles out of clothes, it takes up as little space as possible and is helpful when access to a washer and dryer is limited.

Source/BEDBATHANDBEYOND.COM

While studying you might want complete silence or music to help you focus and it can be a little hard to concentrate with noisy neighbors or roommates. Noise canceling headphones will act as a preemptive solution to many potential roommate disagreements.

Source/CHOLLOMETRO.COM

8 & 9/ SENIOR EDITION

American River College Lizabella Kenopic Arizona State University Stephanie Bradley Jacob Coibion Madison Miller Makena Ray Matthew Ross Auburn University Jack Longoria Quinn Mullany Azusa Pacific University Sofia Schou Boise State Jeremy DeMure Brigham Young University Taylor Johnson Katelyn Sitterud Lathan Skeehan Cal Poly Emma Chinn Hallie Christopherson Jay Daily Gannon Gonsiorowski Alex LeBel Morgan Richard Emma Schafer Maya Seagraves Jacob Stout Audrey Talmi Chico State Aidan Filben Hailey Seva Colorado State Avery Costa Colton Johnson Spencer Santi Creighton University Shreya Reddy

Breaking out of the bubble

CSU Channel Islands Tyler Christiansen

New York University Alex Davis

Santa Barbara City College Sarah Kondas

CSU Fullerton Micaela Espinoza

North Carolina State University Shreya Holikatti

CSU Long Beach Maylee Myette-Doan

Northeastern University Irini Alexandrou Barcelo

CSU Monterey Bay Parker Getz

Northern Arizona State University Cade Hinds

San Diego State Mattie Bragg Pheobe Griffiths Erica Honer Amy Kurpershoek Londyn Milburn Leland O’Neal Jayden Smith Lucia Strnad Gavin Vance

CU Boulder Tyler McConkey Delta College Blake Bentley Duke University Paloma Garcia Trenton Jones Emory University Nancy Ediagbonya Fashion Institute of Technology Supriya Dhakal Folsom Lake College Katerina Howard Braeden Smith

Northwestern University Kate Carver Oregon State University Drake Domme Summer Diemer Eric Jensen Nick Kehoe Claire Mallo Pacific Union College Sungyoung Choi Point Loma Nazarene University Kennedy Brown Kendall Gray

Grand Canyon University Cole Harrison

Purdue University Kavya Krishnan Ashley Porter

Indiana University Matt Hartmeier

Rensselaer Polytechni Institute Bryce Burnham

Lewis and Clark College Emma Wiese

Sacramento State Haley Anderson Sarah Budean Mina Khudhur Caleb Timoce Neda Wilson

Loyola Marymount University Erin Basca Hanna Myers

Saint Mary’s College Nolan French

San Francisco State Kennedy Hull Maxx Mills San Jose State Mason Caserta Aden Dirie Santa Clara University Natalie McLean Xinyi Wang Seattle University Kavita Mahajan Siena College Evan Beland Sierra College Avery Abedi Mosab Abumarkhieh Eden Arellano Piper Bacon Emma Beltran Gonzalez Macy Birkland Justin Clabaugh Amanda Dedo Jacob Dickson Alexandra Gobel Brandon Gonsalves Barbara Gonzalez Avery Hart Mason Jaimes

Hala Khalili Jacob Lesko Barbara Maldonado Sriyaka Mandava Jayden Mellinger Antionette Montano Bilal Muhammad Julia Olson Hannah Rogoff Kamal Shehadeh Aaron Smith Jedidiah Smith Lauren Thomas Kasama Tillman Victoria Tyannikov Veronika Tupy Gabe Veth

UC Irvine Nicholas Lins Sam Zhou UCLA Taha Ahmed Omar Alami Heba Bounar Sebastian Diaz Yewon Jang Ryan Lee Henry Lindhurst UC Santa Barbara Max Clark

Southern Methodist University Abby Griffin

UC San Diego Garrett Feng Jack Hopping

Texas Christian University Claire Chanter Lexi Pochy

Universidad de las Americas Puebla Hannah Vanesa Recoba Diaz

UC Berkeley Gisele DeWitt Mareesa Islam Arman Kazmi Aneesh Kudrimoto Abi McCourt Sara Rosenblatt Ty Wolber

University of Arizona Austin Medina Sarah Torres

UC Davis Kay Cosper Nariaki Fujita Ashley Gleason Sophia Harimoto Sahar Jandaghi Alaei Katie Jones Maryam Mahmood Reese Mattley Abby McMahon Riva Milner Gabe Tonnos

University of Georgia Kacey Ogden Abbie Scribner University of Hawaii, Manoa Fiona Hartmann

University of Nevada, Reno Makena Naki Kaylee Rowland Mason Shohet University of North Georgia Andrew Costigan University of Oregon Sidney Barber Aaron Ganz Chelsea Griffith University of Tenessee, Knoxville Amber Meyers University of Texas, Austin Ali Juell University of Toronto Megan Panicker University of Utah Liam Dunn Sean Ehnen Michael Palley University of Washington Austin Fritz Olivia Galvan Emma Hammack Westmont College Olivia Garrison MILITARY

University of Maryland Maggie Delaney

U.S. Coastguard Laine Weber

University of Minnesota Aynsley Conner

U.S. Marines Gage Romuk Talsen Smith

University of Mississippi Kayla Morotti Abby Tate

*All information taken from the College and Career Center survey as of May 14, 2021*

SENIOR EDITION / 10

SENIOR SUPERLATIVES Class of 2021 Future GB Parents

Kelly Jones

Justin Sampson

Everyone had a Crush On Them

Londyn Milburn

Jack Milne

Best Style

Annabelle Kerns

Most Likely to be President

Alex Miller

Future Reality Star

Jayden Smith

Beau Boyan

Kaveh Ghaemi

Sebastian Diaz

Class Clown

Bella Ternero

Ben Lederer

Special to the Gazette / BILL SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY Photo Illustrations/RIA DHAMEJANI

SENIOR EDITION / 11

A S L S C S O T A F R 2 G 0 N 2 O 1 C Most Likely to Solve Next Pandemic

Most Likely to Sleep Through their Zoom Call

Kate Carver

Phoebe Griffiths

Nariaki Fujita

High School Sweethearts

Sarah Withrow

Devin Montoya

Future Olympians

Amber Myers

Anthony Gross

Avery Abedi

Future Broadway Stars

Maya Seagraves

Mason Caserta

Future Frat Boy & Sorority Girl

Kayla Morotti

Blake Bentley Special to the Gazette / BILL SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY Photo Illustrations / RIA DHAMEJANI

SENIOR EDITION / 12

TEACHER SUPERLATIVES Best Sense of Humor

Most Inspirational

Best Stories

Always Puts a Smile on Your Face

Jarrod Westberg

Brandon Dell’Orto

Bill Patterson

Lisa Goldsmith

Most Likely to go on a Tangent During Class

Most Parent-Like

Most Memorable

Jason Rath

Cary Moore

Mike Valentine

Best Teacher Duo

Katie Farias

Tyler Jaynes

Special to the Gazette / BILL SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY Photo Illustrations / RIA DHAMEJANI

Picking a college before ever visiting the campus

SENIOR EDITION / 13

With COVID-19 restrictions barring travel opportunities to visit college campuses, many seniors had to make ‘blind’ decisions BY ELISE FISHER

efisher.gazette@gmail.com

ould you want to make one of the most important life decisions – where to go to college – based on incomplete information? College campuses are closed for safety during the pandemic, and as a result, seniors are having to find other ways to learn about campus life and the “vibe” of a college before deciding where to spend the next four years of their lives. Although many of the questions and information that students typically seek can be answered with research, talking to alumni and looking through photos and videos of the school act as important ways to understand and connect with a campus. “It’s important to go visit a school because you can get a sense of the environment, how you feel being there, you can sense the energy on campus,” said Terri Keeney, the college and career counselor at Granite Bay High School. Most colleges are not open for official visits or tours. These restrictions are important for safety and to limit the amount of people who are on campus, but that means that many students have finalized their college decision without ever setting foot on their new campus. “Most of the colleges that I applied to have been out of state,” senior Kavya Krishnan said. “I wasn’t able to travel and see any-

thing, nor was I able to go to the colleges and go on campus.” Senior Amalia Rios experienced similar difficulties. “I could have gone to the East Coast (to visit colleges),” Rios said, “but because of COVID, I just decided to stay here.” Schools understand the importance of college tours and what difficulties this year is providing for prospective students. To combat this, schools have implemented and improved online resources and materials. “This year, they’ve posted a lot more pictures and videos of the campus online, so that made it a little bit easier,” Krishnan said. Additionally, many schools have created YouTube videos with informational sessions, interviews with students and alumni, and walk-through tours of dorms and dining halls. “A virtual tour is a great backup to being on campus, but a lot of times you want to know what’s surrounding the campus ... so you get a feel for where you’re gonna be living potentially for the next four years,” Keeney said. The aspect of a campus’s atmosphere may seem less important compared to the education provided at a university, but for many students, living in a comfortable environment is a defining component of consideration. “I care not so much about the campus and the dorm life but the surrounding city life, because if I have to live there for so long, that’s a really big factor,” Krishnan said. “I really wanted to be in an area that would give me that variety of ‘hands-on’

Gazette photo /ELISE FISHER

Many seniors use virtual services to “visit” prospective college campuses before formally committing. experiences.” Krishnan is planning on going into veterinary school, a decision that influenced her ideas on where she would like to live. “It’s really important for me to be in a place that has a lot of animals and a variety of animals to work with,” Krishnan said. “If you’re going into a place that is a really city environment – even though I enjoy the city – it’s not necessarily the most conducive to that work.” Some students were able to travel to schools but not able to get a formal tour. “If they don’t have (tours) available, then I would reach out to see if they know anybody that goes to that school,” Keeney said. “See if that person (can) give them a tour.” Overall, many factors should be considered, each unique to every prospective student. “It’s important to look at (the educational facilities) and then the dorms and the living situation,” Keeney said. “If you’re going to be an engineering major, go walk through the engineering department and see what they have available.”

Friends or competition?

College application process creates friction between classmates BY HEBA BOUNAR

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lex Miller is a senior in the top 10% of her class at Granite Bay High School. Her stats accurately reflect her ambitious, goal-oriented work ethic not only on paper but also in personality. Arguably qualified for admission into any university, Miller applied to Stanford through Restrictive Early Action. Her fate matched those of all GBHS students who applied — rejection. “It was a really bad time for me,” Miller said. “I got rejected from my dream school, even though it was a gamble anyway. I freaked out and ended up applying to a ton of schools.” Miller applied to a grand total of 20 schools. Throughout the college admissions process, she came face to face with the repercussions of the significantly increased number of applicants and noticeably lower acceptance rates to top universities this year. “I know someone who got into my dream school, which I was rejected from,” Miller said. “It was really frustrating because statistically the situation didn’t make sense, but this school year and this admissions cycle has been so messed up that I know I can’t take it personally.” Miller is not alone in her sentiments. The competiDear ____ tive applica_, tion cycle was one that knew no bounds, especially at

We regret t

GBHS where competition amongst students is a notorious reality. Sebastian Diaz, a senior at GBHS who is also within the top 10% of his class, attended Franklin High School in Elk Grove before moving to Granite Bay. He says that the academic cultural difference at GBHS pushed him to excel. “I went to a less competitive school my first year of high school,” Diaz said. “I saw myself slacking off a lot, just like in the amount of AP (classes) I took and just being lazy in general. For who I am as a person, I feel like having competition (at GBHS) has driven me to be better and stand out. But I can understand how for people who don’t thrive off of competition, it can be kind of demoralizing to constantly be compared to other people.” As represented, senior Megan Panicker finds that competition inhibits her ability to perform. As a result, the college admissions process took a toll on her emotional well-being. “Competition hasn’t really driven me that much because I just don’t like comparing myself to others,” Panicker said. “I had a very hard time with college acceptances. It drove me insane because all my friends got their acceptances and committed earlier than I did. It hit me hard because it took a lot of time for me to find where I wanted to go and what I was going to do.” For a majority of students, external pressure from home also played a role in the stress of college acceptances. “When you come from a family – like where I come from and with my ethnic group (being of Asian descent) – there are already certain expectations set by your family and other people around you who automatically assume you should be performing at a high level and going to the best schools,” senior Garrett Feng said. “So you feel like you need to be able to achieve that.” Such competition surrounding college acceptances tends to put a strain on relationships, at least temporarily. “I would say that jealousy is pretty natural because we all want ‘that’ spot, no matter which university we dream of going to,” Miller said. “And lots

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Gazette illustration/ALI JUELL

of us do not get the spot we want or deserve, making it hard to celebrate when others do. But this jealousy is short-lived because we are all on our own journey and there isn’t one great college for every person; there are several.” Diaz, having been in a position where he was rejected from a university his peers were accepted into, has also been able to come out of the college application cycle with a positive outlook. “A bunch of people got into Berkeley, and I didn’t,” Diaz said. “There is that feeling of disappointment in yourself, just like, people got in and I didn’t. But after a few days of reflecting on it, I can see how they are a good fit for (the school) and how I’m not. Whether you get into one or 20 schools, you’re going to be a good fit for that college and that’s why they picked you.” In regards to posting college decisions on social media, many maintain that it should be taken as a way to celebrate achievements rather than flaunt. “Getting into college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Panicker said. “It’s a miracle, so take it however you want. Celebrate and go ahead and post, but don’t rub it in people’s faces and brag about it.” Feng also advises that college decisions should not be taken as a reflection of the competence of students. “Intelligence can be defined very differently amongst students, parents, teachers and colleges,” Feng said, “so you shouldn’t question why one person got in over another. Every student is intelligent in different areas and that’s measured differently according to each college, so it doesn’t make sense to compare.” Miller eventually committed to Wake Forest University, turning down more academically prestigious schools in the process. “That feeling of like, wow, I’m going to be happy here is so much more important than the cloud of going to one of the best schools,” Miller said. “To all the juniors who will be applying to college, go someplace where you’re going to be happy.”

14 / SENIOR EDITION

Class of 2021 Rewind

Gazette co-editors-in-chief chat about the most memorable moments from their past four years at Granite Bay High School BY MAREESA ISLAM and PIPER BACON mislam.gazette@gmail.com

Piper: Hey Mareesa, how do you feel about almost being done with high school? Mareesa: I am honestly so excited and happy I get to enjoy the last few days of school in person. We had a lot of memorable moments over our last four years. Piper: Oh yeah, remember when we `had a lockdown for a potential shooter during freshman year? That was so scary! The red bucket was the scariest part. Mareesa: Yes, that was pretty scary! I also remember going to all of the dances in freshman year for the first time, which were super fun. Piper: I don’t know about you, but I looked pretty awkward for my freshman year Winter Ball. Glad I grew out of that phase fast. Mareesa: Yeah, being underclassmen was pretty tough. Though it wasn’t all bad. Remember being the first to get our chromebooks sophomore year? Piper: Remember trying to break through the firewall to get rid of the district ban on Cool Math Games?

20:17

Mareesa: What?

Piper: Nothing. It was pretty nice. Mareesa: I do remember getting sent home early for thanksgiving break because of all those crazy fires. Piper: That was so crazy, you couldn’t even see clearly on campus because of all the smoke. If I get lung cancer can I legally sue? Or was that what sending us home early was for? Mareesa: Yeah… I don’t think you can sue, Piper. Piper: Darn. I really need to pay for college tuition somehow. Mareesa: Hahaha. Even though sophomore year was weird, junior year was even weirder! Piper: Yeah, we definitely started junior year off strong after winning the homecoming float for our country music themed float. But after that, everything went downhill…. Mareesa: Yeah, I remember feeling happy for the last actual day of school on March 13. Little did we know that that would be the last time we would step back onto campus until a long while. Piper: The month of March was so stressful. I remember just heading off to New York for the band trip right when COVID-19 was picking up speed.

Class of 2021

Mareesa: Wow, I am so glad that you guys made it back safe though. A couple of other student clubs were planning on traveling to New York too, including journalism, but those trips got canceled. Piper: Oh and you know what really sucked? Our one and only Junior Prom being canceled!

Mareesa: I know right, I still have my dress that I bought for Junior Prom that is still unworn! Piper: Wow, that sucks. I remember AP tests were a mess last year, I hope they go better this month. Mareesa: Yeah for sure! Well anyways, these past four years have been a wild ride, but it definitely taught me some valuable lessons that I’ll use throughout my life. I am glad we are finally able to have a more normal GBHS experience again. Piper: Yeah me too. I am so thankful for all the fun senior events that have been planned; they definitely put a good end to a strange year. Mareesa: Definitely! Senior 5th quarter was pretty funny watching all our classmates get hypnotized, and I can’t wait to spend our last memories at Senior Sunset, Senior Picnic, graduation, and sober grad night. Piper: Despite everything, I think the Class of 2021 has had a pretty good run!

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SENIOR EDITION / 15

Navigating class Instagram pages GBHS seniors begin meeting college classmates before stepping on campus BY MEGAN BROWN

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ith the beginning of college right around the corner, many members of the class of 2021 are anxious and excited to make new friends in a new environment. Finding roommates and people to meet can be notoriously difficult when first going into college. Social media comes in handy this year, with college Instagram accounts for the newly minted class of 2025 to follow, post and find friends and roommates before they even step foot on campus. These class pages are not directly affiliated with the universities that they act as a platform for. “The process (of posting on your college’s Instagram account) is simple,” senior Lauren Lund said. “You send pictures of yourself, tell them a little bit about you, then they put that out there for other people to see.” The college Instagram accounts are efficient yet straightforward for college students to get an early start on making connections, acting as a point of anxiety but excitement for many rising college freshmen. “I hope I can meet new people, make great friendships ... and stay connected with a bunch of people from my campus,” Lund said. Creating relationships with one’s peers is an essential part of the college experience, and many have already found poten-

tially long-term friends. “This method worked for me ... I’ve already made connections and found my three roommates,” Lund said. The Instagram accounts are so helpful that students quickly find their roommates in a short amount of time. “I have found a roommate and a bunch of friends ... I can’t wait to meet them,” senior Sofia Schou said. “I am looking for people with the same interests and (who) don’t mind having a good time.” Students’ descriptions of themselves on class Instagram pages say a lot to others about whether or not they could successfully connect and bond over similar things. “I feel more comfortable knowing some of the people I’ll be going to school with,” Amy Kurpershoek, a senior,said. The social media platforms help ease nervousness around the social aspect of college. Social media has become a beneficial outlet for making new connections and memories for many upcoming college students. The point of congregation created through platforms like Instagram and Facebook act as a reminder of social media’s true purpose: to connect people that are potentially thousands of miles away. Gazette photo /MEGAN BROWN

Students in the process of committing to college use social media to find roommates and new friends early-on.

High school: Growth over the years Seniors reflect on the transformation they have noticed within themselves and reminisce on the good memories GBHS had to offer throughout their academic journey BY MARYAM MAHMOOD

and what I need in my life.” With the immense growth and memories that come from their high school experience, s graduation day draws closer for the transitioning from middle school to high Class of 2021, it’s difficult for seniors school did present many challenges, whether to say goodbye to the school they have it was academically or socially, for many of called home for the last four years. GBHS’s soon-to-be alumni. Granite Bay High School has provided the “My biggest challenge was learning how to soon-to-be graduates with heartfelt memories study,” senior Maggie Delaney said. “I am easand friendships that will last a lifetime. ily distracted, so it took a long time for me to From their first Winter figure out what would force Ball in freshman year, to me to study.” enjoying and laughing For Tyler Zavala, ASB during European History I have really appreciated president, one of the biggest lectures from Mr. Valenof his academic tine in sophomore year, their competitive spirit, challenges career here was dealing with winning homecoming supportive relationships, many changes brought on floats in junior year and by the pandemic. finally --proudly-- showacademic mindset and “Junior to senior year casing their yellow bandanas on their backpacks ability to roll with the ups has definitely been a hard transition (in terms of ) for senior year. and downs of being a high adapting to a new learning While there were not style and not being able to many of the traditional school teenager. see my friends as much,” senior activities available – Lisa Vaughan, Zavala said. to the Class of 2021 due Regardless of the trials to the pandemic, it was GBHS senior class advisor and tribulations the senior still a year to remember. class had to face, they perseAs summer becomes vered through all of them. little more than days Deciding on one particular favorite memory away, seniors are now able to look back at how from every year however, is easier said than their time at GBHS has shaped them. done. Nonetheless, the senior class has a few “I definitely grew overall stronger and in mind. tougher mentally as a person throughout my “My first football game (was a great memofour years,” Olivia Galvan, the senior class ry),” Delaney said. “I realized how important president, said. “But as an underclassmen, I being in the Emerald Brigade was to me. I had feel like I grew up more tangibly. struggled learning how to march and survive Time management and being able to handle off of four hours of sleep due to the constant harder academics and work more towards rehearsing. That first game was where I was becoming an adult and learning more of those able to see that band was worth the long hours responsibilities. … I found myself growing and practice.” more personally to accept myself more and Not only have seniors enjoyed the span of overall become confident and come out of my their journey, but so have the adults that have shell. It made me think about my future plans

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been around to see them grow. “It has been a pleasure watching the Class of 2021 over the past four years,” said Lisa Vaughan, one of the senior class advisors. “I have really appreciated their competitive spirit, supportive relationships, academic mindset and ability to roll with the ups and downs of being a high school teenager.” The tenacity of the Class of 2021 was most tangible during this year full of constant change and readjustment. “The (senior) class has always been a really social class, so I think the pandemic has really shown what they can accomplish independently but also how they came together to help each other through technology and social media,” said Jennifer Buschmann, the assistant principal for the senior class. All in all, this graduating class has surely made its mark on the staff members for finding a way to make the most of incredibly challenging situations. For many staff members and other members of the GBHS community, the end of high school for the class of 2021 feels bittersweet. “I will miss . . . . THEM!” Vaughan said. “Being a class advisor has given me a wonderful opportunity to know so many seniors, and I am so thankful for the experiences we shared.” Amidst the excitement that comes with preparing to move on to new adventures and reflecting on this closing chapter, the senior class is also getting ready to leave some things behind, at least for the time being. “I’ll miss my people,” Delaney said. “All of my friends are going off to different schools and I couldn’t be prouder and sadder at the same time.”

Gazette photo /MARYAM MAHMOOD

As the class of 2021 receive their caps and gowns, they commemorate their positivity and perseverance in spite of the unusual circumstances of their senior year.

SENIOR EDITION / 16

Blast to the Past

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Gazette photos by First Last Gazette photo illustration /MEHAR RANGI