The Talon | Issue 1 | September 24, 2021 by The Talon

Los Altos High School, Los Altos, CA ■ September 24, 2021 ■ Volume XXXVII, Issue 1

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lahstalon.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

TRAFFIC ISSUE Read The Talon’s take on how to improve traffic conditions amidst ongoing construction. Editorial, 4

Gender Inclusivity at LAHS Learn more about LAHS’s gender inclusive initiatives — the gender support plan and the new gender neutral bathrooms. News, 3

Weightlifting: Femininity and Fierceness

ROHAN VASWANI

‘The Book of Unknown Americans’ replaces ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ from English curriculum Teachers expect ‘TBUA’ will cover topics such as race and immigration through a more diverse lens. ALLAN FELDMAN Copy Editor

Check out senior writer Allison Bricca’s perspective on the role of gender norms in women’s athletics. Opinions, 5

I Tested Positive

Hear about guest writer Caitlin Hannon’s experience testing positive for COVID-19 as a teacher this year. Opinions, 6

Bears in Downtown Los Altos

“The Book of Unknown Americans” (“TBUA”), written by Cristina Henríquez, replaced “To Kill a Mockingbird” (“TKAM”) as the freshman Survey of Composition and Literature course reading and is now being taught for the first time at Los Altos High School. The new text comes after last

year’s removal of “TKAM” from the Survey curriculum. The Survey team read hundreds of novels during the past three to four years to find a suitable title, and while they were torn among many books, the pick was clear once “TBUA” was proposed, according to English Department Coordinator Margaret Bennett. “TBUA” is a 2014 contemporary American novel that details the

‘Shang-Chi’ and the legendary power of Asian representation

Opinions Editor

The Reality of Cancel Culture

Senior writer Natalie Wei shares the flaws of cancel culture. Arts and Culture, 9

Battle of the Pumpkin Spice Lattes Find out how your favorite fall drinks stack up, according to senior writer Elyssa Kennedy. Arts & Culture, 11

September 15–October 15

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Los Altos Community Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony October 8

End of the First Quarter October 11

Indigenous Peoples’ Day October 11–12

Recess Days & Homework-Free Weekend October 13

PSAT & SAT Test Day October 31

Halloween

November 4

Diwali

2 4 5

Features A&C Sports

Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) takes on henchmen from the “Ten Rings,” his father’s criminal organization. The making of “Shang-Chi” is a critical step in increasing and improving Asian representation in media.

OLIVIA HEWANG

October 2

News Editorial Opinions

MARVEL STUDIOS

7 9 12

Media Managing Editor

“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” the wildly successful new Marvel movie, is a refreshing origin story that isn’t afraid to show off its deep cultural roots. It’s a groundbreaking film, but plot weaknesses prevent the movie from shedding the Marvel formula entirely. Still, after the travesty that was “Mulan,” it’s clear the creators of “Shang-Chi” care about getting Asian representation right this time around. The story follows Shang-Chi as he is dragged back into his father’s criminal organization, the Ten Rings, after hiding out in America for years. Viewers are treated to a film that not only features Asian acting legends Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh

but also immerses viewers in a rich world inspired by the wuxia (martial arts fantasy) genre and Chinese legend. As an added bonus, a good chunk of the movie is in Mandarin, enhancing the viewing experience for native speakers. Many critics are calling this movie a watershed moment, and for good reason. Representation is just as much about what happens outside the movie theater. Asian-Americans — especially us ABCs (AmericanBorn Chinese) — get to feel seen because of something as small as watching lead actor Simu Liu whip out the white rabbit candy, rice crackers and shredded shrimp in his “10 Essentials” GQ video. “Shang-Chi” continues on page 9

something that the English curriculum did not previously address. “I don’t think necessarily being an immigrant is a very common thing among all the students here, but it’s certainly an issue in America today,” Bennett said. “I think you can make the argument that no matter who you are, what we all can relate to is that there are times when we feel unknown.” “TBUA” continues on page 2

Los Altos and Mountain View girls tennis teams share the court EMILIE ENSER

Meet Main Street’s colorful new residents and the student artists behind them. Features, 7

UPCOMING EVENTS

stories of Hispanic immigrants to the United States, mainly centering on the immigrant family of the Riveras but told through diverse lenses of different characters. Bennett explained that she feels the book represents and reaches more of the student population at LAHS. The book invites students to share their own experiences of being an immigrant or “an unknown American” —

The Los Altos High School girls tennis team is strapped for practice time as Mountain View High School campus construction — which covers the tennis courts — pushes the Spartans onto the Eagles’ courts. The District has assigned the Spartans to Rengstorff Park in the interim, but there isn’t enough space for the whole team to compete, so their matches have been assigned to LAHS courts. “Los Altos High School was informed by the District that we would be sharing space with Mountain View to accommodate for the lack of tennis courts right now,” LAHS Athletic

Director Michelle Noeth said. “I’ve made a schedule for the two coaches to not have conf licting matches, but overall we just have to be f lexible.” While this scheduling conf lict hasn’t affected matches, it has impaired the Eagles’ ability to consistently practice. On the days that the Spartans have home games scheduled, the Eagles lose access to the courts. As a result, Monday practices have been canceled altogether and Wednesday practices, if not canceled as well, are in Milpitas for varsity and Menlo Park for JV. The team foresees that this schedule will remain throughout the entire season. “Tennis” continues on page 12

ROHAN VASWANI

Senior Rose Liu serves during a doubles match against MVHS. The Eagles’ practice time was reduced because the campus courts are currently being shared between MVHS and LAHS.

The Talon September 24, 2021

Read more news articles at lahstalon.org/category/news

‘TBUA’ CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE Beyond the complex themes demonstrated in the novel — such as assimilation, community, guilt and ableism — the book aligned with the Survey team’s criteria, including having contemporary treatment of core is-

sues, areas for students to make inferences, literary merit and an author of color, among many other things. No students were involved in the decision making process. “We’re really looking at it from a teaching point of view, and students just don’t have the same kind of perspective,” Bennett said. “When we choose books, we try to choose books that we think students are going to enjoy, but there’s also all this criteria that

goes into it.” Some students were in agreement with Bennett’s sentiment. “If students were to be involved in the process, I think it would be quite difficult to select students because students who volunteer to select books are more likely to have clear opinions on what sort of novel they would enjoy reading, which isn’t necessarily the purpose of reading books in English,” junior Keira Chatwin said. “Teachers just have much more

experience understanding and working with students as they read novels.” Others believed that students could have been more involved in the initial stages of the process by being able to suggest book titles, but agreed that teachers should take it from thereon. “I think our student body has a lot of difference in opinion, which would add to the diversity of book suggestions,” Black Student Union Co-President senior Aida Yezalaleul said. The Survey team plans to continue teaching students similar skills utilized in previous years — namely writing literary essays, note-taking, Socratic dialogues and learning vocabulary through Membean. Bennett said that the multiple narrators in “TBUA” — unlike in “TKAM” — also add a challenge to the student’s reading experience.

On the “TKAM” removal

NAOMI ICHIRIU

“The Book of Unknown Americans” replaces “To Kill a Mockingbird” in the freshman Survey of Composition and Literature courses.

The decision to remove “TKAM” last year came after Survey teachers’ growing concerns about the novel’s difficulty and flaws in properly addressing racism, specifically with the presence of “white saviors” and sexism. This decision brought upon student backlash. Some cited that the book should be kept because of its importance in American literature, while others argued that the book brought up important conversations, including the use of the N-word according to senior Chloe White, Black Student Union’s other CoPresident. “Personally, I was the only Black student in my English class and my teacher was white,

and the fact that she was reading something and the N-word popped up wasn’t what made me uncomfortable,” Chloe said. “It was the conversations about the N-word after. I knew people weren’t educated; I don’t think you should avoid these conversations.” Some explained that the book should continue to be taught if teachers begin pointing out more of its flaws in addressing racism. The Survey team did make efforts to educate students on the book’s flaws, according to Bennett; however, teachers were still concerned that students would often perceive that racism was “a thing of the past” after reading the book. “That’s not what we wanted students to walk away with,” Bennett said. “It finally got to the point where we said, ‘We need to get rid of it.’” However, Bennett urges students to read “TKAM” independently if they would like to, especially as this year’s Survey curriculum incorporates more independent reading with the integration of the English pilot program. “There’s no doubt this book has a place in American literature canon; no one is saying you shouldn’t read it,” Bennett said. “We are simply just saying that as a ninth grade Survey group of teachers, this isn’t the book we want to teach as the one common novel that we all read.” Multiple other English titles at LAHS address the topic of racism for students to learn from, including Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold and the Boys,” Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man,” Katori Hall’s “The Mountaintop” and more.

Board votes to increase homework-free weekends MIRA SUNDAR AUDREY ZHU Sports Editor Staff Writer

The Mountain View–Los Altos Board of Trustees unanimously voted to increase the frequency of homework-free weekends in an attempt to reduce student stress during the school year on Monday, September 13. They also publicly recognized September as suicide prevention month. The first homework-free weekend of the year will take place at the end of the first quarter on the weekend of Saturday, October 9. Teachers will not be allowed to assign any homework due on the class day following students’ return from a homework-free weekend or administer tests that day. Subsequent homework-free days will take place during the March quarter break and Memorial Day weekend, alongside the already standing homework-free weekends during Thanksgiving break, December break, February break and April break. “Homework-free weekends are great. They are little relaxation breaks from all the APs and harder classes that we take during the year,” member of the Los Altos High School Associated Student Body and junior Ayjay Bentovim said. “My friends, personally, are stressed out sometimes when it

comes to these harder classes.” According to MVLA teachers’ union president Dave Campbell, the union was not consulted in the decision of establishing additional homework-free weekends, violating California’s Education Code and the contract between the MVLA District and the teachers’ union. While these revisions come in an effort to improve students’ wellbeing, over 200 teachers, psychologists and counselors expressed in a survey that homework-free weekends are not enough to reduce students’ stress, and that further steps need to be taken by the District. Campbell suggested limiting the amount of Advanced Placement classes students can take per year in an effort to reduce student workload, following continued discussions amongs teachers within the District. He said that colleges evaluate students in the context of their high school, so this cap on AP classes won’t have any effect when applying to colleges. This step hasn’t been discussed by the Board. More so, in a show of support and acknowledgment of mental health, the MVLA Board publically recognized September as suicide prevention month; they recognize that suicide is a leading cause of death among youth

ROHAN VASWANI

The Mountain View–Los Altos Board of Trustees voted unanimously to increase the frequency of homework free weekends in the 2021–22 school year. Many staff members believe that this increase isn’t enough to improve the well being of students. and support actions in preventing suicide ideation, attempts and death. MVLA has partnered with the City of Mountain View and the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department to provide free sui-

cide prevention training to all students, staff and community members. If you are in need of immediate support, please call the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-823-TALK

[or 4204], contact the crisis text line by texting RENEW to 741741, or call 911 and request a Crisis Intervention Trained officer. If you are concerned about another student, please fill out the MVLA Student Referral Form.

The Talon September, 24, 2021

ELYSSA KENNEDY

An overview of gender inclusivity at LAHS Los Altos High School has installed two gender neutral bathrooms in an ongoing process to expand its gender support plan

ALLISON BRICCA NATALIE WEI

Any students interested in developing a plan can reach out Senior Writers to Woolfolk to schedule a brief meeting. They would then work In expanding the gender sup- together to lay out the specifics port plan, Los Altos High School of their individual plan — this has installed two gender neutral involves detailing gender identity, pronouns, fambathrooms located ily background, priin the 600 and 700 vacy considerations wings on campus. and preferred faciliThe additions come “No one was ties. as part of an ongoing talking about “High schoolers are push to help students gender identity. young adults,” Woolget their correct We had to supfolk said. “There are names and gender port students’ a lot of things that identities recognized rights. It was the District is trying by the school. to change that really Assistant Princi- our obligation help young adults be pal Suzanne Woolk- to create a sysrespected as young folk created the plan tem for that.” adults who can think with the intention — Suzanne Woolfolk on their own and of bringing student advocate for themgender identity into the conversation; future addi- selves.” Parents and therapists, though tions will include new facilities welcome to join the meeting, are and curricula. not required to. Students will also receive time to work on the About the plan Woolfolk brought the plan — plan individually without outwhich she had developed in pri- side intervention. “I’ve had the great experience or administrative jobs at other schools — to LAHS eight years of being in meetings where the ago. At the time, a gender sup- students are using them as a port plan had not yet been es- way to come out to their family,” Woolfolk said. “Sometimes tablished by the District. “Nobody was talking about the plan starts when the student gender identity,” Woolfolk said. is a freshman or a sophomore, “We had to support students’ and things might evolve by the rights. It was our obligation to time they are seniors. They can adjust that plan as they change create a system for that.” The plan is accessible to all — it provides really exciting mostudents, with no parent per- ments for self-advocacy.” Woolfolk hopes to streammission required. Students are able to make corrections for online the process by developline aliases such as their Google ing a more seamless way for accounts, Aeries and Canvas. teachers to be brought into the However, a record of birth name loop. Apart from introducing and sex will remain with the reg- inclusivity-related teacher training istrar for identification purposes. and guidelines, she wants to adopt

updated curriculums, like a new state Spanish curriculum aimed at reducing gender’s role in the language. “I’m not the bottleneck; you don’t need to have a plan to have certain rights,” Woolfolk said. “But if all you need is a computer change of your name to feel accepted, I’m happy to do that.”

New additions In expanding the plan, Woolfolk hopes to simulate gender support in businesses and colleges by installing more gender neutral bathrooms across campus. New gender neutral bathrooms will also be included in the new administration building slated for completion by the 2023-2024 school year. “We’re obligated to provide gender neutral bathrooms as a safe place for students,” Assistant Principal Galen Rosenberg said. “And for gender nonconforming students, we need something other than just general restrooms that we’ve always had.” Although not seemingly aimed toward gender issues, there has been some vandalism in the new gender neutral bathrooms. “There’s a weird attitude being expressed in the graffiti,” Rosenberg said. “It was surprising to me that it appeared as quickly and as much as it did. It could just be a coincidence.” LAHS is also offering free tampons in both women’s and gender neutral restrooms to widen accessibility for students who need them; they will be stocked by the end of September.

Student feedback To help staff foster more welcoming environments, the Gender and Sexuality Awareness Club at Mountain View High School worked with the District to generate a list of guidelines for teachers; these include creating “visually safe” classrooms with inclusive decorations, using gender-neutral language, asking for pronouns and not assuming genders or identities. The guidelines are not enforced by the District, and serve more as suggestions than strict rules. As a result, some students have not had positive experiences regarding their teachers’ attempts to be inclusive. “I had to introduce myself to a teacher with my birth name, so I said ‘Hey, I’m this, but I go by Fenn,’” said LAHS Gender and Sexuality Awareness President senior Fenn Marsot. “They then

introduced me to other teachers using my birth name. I told them because it’s my legal name, but they could have introduced me as Fenn, my actual name.” Fenn said that while the gender support plan is “very validating,” incorporating teachers to a greater extent would foster more inclusive environments. “I just want to see the teachers do better,” Fenn said. “In order to get them to use the right names or pronouns, you have to talk to them individually. These are the people who students are actually interacting with — that’s the hard part.”

NATALIE WEI

The Talon September 24, 2022

Please send letters to the editor to talon.lahs@gmail.com

We have to curb LAHS’s traffic issue

Los Altos High School 201 Almond Ave., Los Altos, CA September 24, 2021 Volume XXXVII, Issue I

Editor-In-Chief Cedric Chan Managing Editors Rachel Rudyak (Print (Print)) Kaavya Butaney (Web (Web)) Olivia Hewang (Media (Media)) News Editor Anika Sikka Opinions Editor Emilie Enser Features Editor Nathaniel Joffe Arts & Culture Editor Kaley Kwan Sports Editor Mira Sundar Copy Editors Allan Feldman, Vaishu Sirkay Senior Staff Allison Bricca, Nina Crofts, Naomi Ichiriu, Elyssa Kennedy, Rose Liu, Naomi Schulze, Rohan Vaswani, Natalie Wei Staff Audrey Zhu Adviser Michael Moul

POLICIES After 18 months of relative calm, Los Altos High School’s hazardous morning traffic has come roaring back, teeming with flagrant violations of regulations and reckless behavior. Alongside the return to in-person instruction, the influx in traffic has been aggravated by construction that spans much of the campus and bottlenecks students into overcrowded entrances. The construction on the athletic fields is slated to be completed on Monday, November 15, according to Associate Superintendent of Business Services Mike Mathiesen, which will likely be followed by a reduction in traffic, as other entrances to the campus reopen. The new building will sit on the site of the old parking lot, but new parking will open near the 900s. But until then, the Los Altos community needs to work together in order to ensure the safety of all students commuting to and from campus. Despite numerous warnings from the school, drivers consistently pull into the bicycle lane to drop off students, cutting off

student bikers and increasing the risk of collision. And, also turning a blind eye to regulations, drivers continue to clog the student parking lot by using it as a drop off zone. On public streets, the administration does not have the jurisdiction to penalize drivers; that duty falls on the Los Altos Police Department, which has been citing violators. Yet it hasn’t curbed the traffic infractions, according to Assistant Principal Galen Rosenberg. But we shouldn’t have to rely on the police or the school for this — it’s common courtesy. If you’re going to get dropped off at school, then park a few blocks away and take the extra three minutes to walk to school. Punctuality is important — but not more so than safety. The limited number of entrances and closure of the teacher parking lot have also burdened certain bike racks near the front of the school and the baseball courts. Because the nearest bike racks are taken, students often attach their bikes to poles or other struc-

tures in order to get to class on time. But this compromises the structural integrity of buildings, Rosenberg said, so administrators have been putting padlocks on the spokes of bikes not parked properly. These infractions are recorded on students’ disciplinary records through Aeries, although they’re not shared with colleges. Only counselors and administrators can see these infractions. “Depending on what you’re locking your bike to, you could be damaging the structure or creating an obstruction somewhere — you could be scratching the paint on a pole, or blocking a pathway,” Rosenberg said. “If you have a rule you have to draw the line somewhere. We have to be consistent and clear. We can’t be too lenient because then eventually there is no concept of following the rules.” In most of the cases where the school locks a student’s bike because it was improper parking, the studwent was been running precariously close to being late. The solution is simple: Get to school earlier or be tardy. It’s not an im-

possible request. Still, it is frustrating for students whose bikes have been locked, especially students who have to stay after school for athletics. Multiple students have been unable to take the locks off their bikes after practices ended — by which point most administrators have left campus — and had to walk or bike unsafely to get home. LAHS custodial staff should be equipped with keys to these locks, so that students can safely get home. But the school’s hands are tied too: There isn’t any other way to enforce the rules, which exist for good reason. This isn’t about finicky regulations, but it also isn’t about reckless teenagers; it’s about safety, plain and simple. Administrators should give students a bit more leeway with parking their bikes, at least until construction ends, and students should do their best to follow guidances — even if it means being a couple minutes late to class. Please, let’s work together — before an accident happens.

Los Altos High School’s Compositional Journalism class is solely responsible for The Talon, Talon, which is published eight times a year. The Talon also updates its website, www.lahstalon.org, with full-time coverage. The Editorial Board sets the policies of The Talon and crafts its editorials and thumbs.

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THUMBS UP to LAHS teachers for adapting over the last year and a half. Over the last year and a half, as we’ve moved in and out of quarantine, teachers have had to constantly adapt to constantly changing situations. From distance to hybrid to in-person learning, teachers have continued to go above and beyond and we greatly appreciate all of the work they have done. While these past years were not normal in the least, our teachers’ efforts have made sure that we have had the best experience possible.

Talon Supporters THUMBS UP to the District and administration for improving their COVID-19 testing policies. While The Talon was dissatisfied with the initial testing procedures, we appreciate how quickly they were changed. Testing is quick and easy, especially in comparison to the beginning of school, and just takes a few moments out of the day. Students can now leave class to get tested and communication has been greatly improved. As we move through the year, frequent testing will continue to be the key for our safety.

Honorary Pulitzers Anjana Nagarajan-Butaney, Louis Roehrs, Purnima Sundar

Silver Supporters Sonia Brunner, Elliott Song, Deborah Tolomeo, Jennifer Urmson

The Talon September 24, 2021

Read more opinions articles at lahstalon.org/category/opinions

Nina’s Notes

Women in weighlifting: The fierce in feminity ALLISON BRICCA Senior Editor

By Nina Crofts

We’re not immune to misinformation False rumors about MVLA District COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols have spread like wildfire across campus, from “you can still come to school if you’ve tested positive as long as you’re vaccinated” to “you can get a rapid test and it will count for a close-contact test.” When thinking about the source of COVID-19 misinformation, particularly in our area, your mind likely turns to the inaccurate information shared on social media about the effects of the virus or of the vaccine. But in schools, the issues surrounding COVID-19-related conversation are far more implicit, yet have the potential to be just as dangerous. It’s up to us to stay educated about COVID-19 protocol and to follow it. Misinformation about testing and quarantining can be detrimental when it comes to how schools handle the spread of the virus. If people come to school knowing they are positive or have had a close contact and do not notify the District, they may spread the virus unbeknownst to their peers, thinking they’re doing the right thing. Let’s make this clear: If students are confused about quarantine or testing protocol, they should refer to the District’s COVID-19 Designee FAQ, not their lab partner. To compound the issue, whenever close contact notifications are sent out, students try to figure out who tested positive. This type of shaming could influence someone to not stay at home or seek a COVID-19 test if they were sick, fearing that they could be blamed for spreading the virus, but we need people to be staying home and testing for the safety of our school community. And while saying COVID-19 isn’t real or downplaying its effects is worse than misunderstanding quarantine or testing protocol, both contribute to a higher risk of spreading the virus. So, as we continue to fight the virus on campuses around the world, be diligent. Know what to do if you get sick or come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, encourage others around you to stay home and get tested if they are feeling sick, and wear your mask at school events, even if they are outside. We may be reaching the end of the line, but COVID-19 won’t go away if we treat it as an afterthought.

“That was pretty good for a girl,” a stranger’s voice made its way through my AirPods as I hopped down from a decent muscle-up attempt. I managed an eye roll. I wish I could say I’ve gotten used to those extra words I hear all too often. “That was pretty good” would have been just fine. I turned on my heels and walked away, mulling over the possibility that one day people won’t have to put down the entire female population just to toss someone a backhanded compliment. I dropped my gym bag on the turf, leaned onto the squat rack and closed my eyes. Traditionally, femininity correlates with delicacy. Politeness. Gentleness. I lifted my chin and glanced at myself in the mirror. I am so powerful. Unfortunately, society’s beauty standards would take one look at me and my “man shoulders” and decide that I didn’t quite make the cut for the feminine ideal. I went “overboard” with the “10-minute toned arm workout” YouTube videos. I’m not nearly gentle enough to be seen as delicate, but I’m filled with grit and drive. That’s a trade I’m willing to make any day. I lift the bar from the rack and start my set, keeping my breath in rhythm with my thoughts. Stereotypically female sports — gymnastics, dance, figure skating — require so much strength and endurance; and yet the ultimate

OLIVIA HEWANG

goal is to conceal that strength behind grace. Unsurprisingly, that same pattern finds its way into nearly every corner of gender expectations for women: Put in all the work but make it look easy. Just keep it elegant. Don’t be dramatic about it. Leave the strength and heavy lifting to the men. As a result, it can feel uncomfortable for women, including me, to embody their strength and effort. To me, weightlifting is the best way to continue reminding myself that my strength is not feminine or masculine or “good for a girl.” It is mine to define. I see my progress through the increas-

ing weight I’m able to squat, or through the definition in my back. I’m getting stronger, and I don’t owe it to the ego-sensitive dudes in the gym to stick to light weights and cardio to ensure their security in their own strength. Beyond encouraging me to value my strength, weightlifting has changed my lifestyle entirely. I come home from the gym, excited for a big dinner. I see exercise as a privilege to better myself, not as a punishment for not looking a certain way. Women have been programmed to think that a fitness journey starts with limiting their serving size, or cutting out food

groups, but through weightlifting — truly strengthening my body — I’ve seen the greatest period of mental growth. Food is fuel. To be strong, I need to be nourished. We all do. Truly, I go to the gym every day for me — to regain my appetite, feel strong in my own skin and because I like doing hard things. But a little part of me also hopes that by showing up at the gym every day, with intentions as strong as my shoulders, that I’ll encourage other women to see their strength as something to cherish and build upon — not as a fault in their graceful appearance in this world.

District COVID-19 plans are naive and reactive KAAVYA BUTANEY Web Managing Editor

Our hopes are high this year. After a year and a half of quarantining and Zooming and part-time Zooming, we hope to finish this year on campus, in person, maybe even without masks. And right now, that seems reasonable.

While we currently feel safe, there is the possibility of things worsening and we cannot be caught unprepared. Over the last five weeks, Los Altos High School has had ten COVID-19 exposures. In a school of 2300 students and 150 staff members, that is honestly not that bad. We haven’t had any confirmed on-campus transmissions and we continue to test and stay safe in class. But if things worsen, they will worsen quickly. Transmissions are exponential.

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Right now, the MVLA District does not have a plan for returning to virtual school if things worsen. They have a plan for how to plan. The District has a plan to meet and confer, but there is no plan as to what to do. And while a plan may not be necessary this instant, there should be at least a couple of loose proposals to ensure the District has a head start and can pass or modify a plan rather than coming up with a completely new one when the need arises. But as of now, we do have one issue: quarantined students. Students who get COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 10 days and if health issues persist, could miss weeks of school. While teachers may be flexible, missing even a few days of school can set students behind. Quarantined students should be offered some sort of hybrid option to attend school from home for the duration of their absence. Teachers should try to Zoom students into in-person classes so that they can at least be aware of what’s going on in NAOMI ICHIRIU class, even if they can’t

fully participate. The teacher could open a Zoom link for the quarantined student on their laptop and teach class as usual, maybe trying to stay closer to the laptop for audio purposes. The teacher would not have to change their entire class in order to make things just a little easier for quarantined students. The school should also develop stricter social distancing and masking policies if the pandemic continues to worsen. Currently, the Center for Disease Control says that vaccinated people can be maskless outside, unless they are in close quarters and have an immunocompromised relative. But should the situation worsen and breakthrough cases increase, we will need more precautions to keep our campus COVID-safe. The District needs to come up with stricter protocols now, before they’re truly necessary, and students need to accept the possibility that they may have to act differently or return to distance learning. As the pandemic continues, it’s clear that we want to go back to normal life but we cannot sacrifice our safety. The consequences of outbreaks or exposures are enormous. We can finish this year right but deterioration is always possible. And I don’t know about anyone else, but I want to be prepared.

If you would like to write about your stance on an issue that’s affecting students at our school, email Opinions Editor Emilie Enser via the form at https://lahstalon.org/guest-write/

The Talon September 24, 2021

I tested positive: My notes from quarantine CAITLIN HANNON

question that hit me hardest. I thought of my parents, who are at greater risk because they are over 65, and my children, who are too young to be vaccinated. I can’t remember when my I thought of Ms. Abel and Ms. husband and I started testing O’Hayer, who I share a classregularly for COVID-19, but it room with, and of all the teachwas a long time ago. His com- ers I’d had lunch with that day. pany offers weekly testing that I thought of Ms. Aguirre, who is sent to our house — he swabs, was sitting right next to me in a returns and gets results in a day department meeting that mornor so. The Mountain View–Los ing. I looked out at a classroom Altos and Los Altos School dis- of students, and I suddenly felt tricts started offering monthly I was endangering them. I didn’t testing at the beginning of last know what to do, so I just walked school year, and I joined in from out of the room. As I write this, my family and I the beginning. Free, accessible are quarantining. In some ways it testing? Even though we have feels like March 2020 both been fully vacagain, but in other cinated for months, ways, this is a lot we figured: Why not? Surely I’d hit easier. We know this So after a year or so will end, for one, and of regular testing, I the wrong butwe are pretty used to was shocked to get a ton. But there this by now. My sturesult I’d never seen it was again, dents have shifted before: “POSITIVE.” to remote learning I was standing at and it was as pretty seamlessly. my desk at the time, if someone My own children unwith my fourth pe- punched me in derstand social disriod class in front of the stomach: tancing restrictions, me, and I assumed so they took it pretty I’d hit the wrong but- “POSITIVE.” well when we proton. Surely I’d hit the nounced that we were going to wrong button. But there it was again, and it was as if someone have a two-week-long house parpunched me in the stomach: ty. We’re making lots of popcorn and pulling all our games off the “POSITIVE.” The problem with working so shelves. We’re making the best of hard to avoid something is that it, and we’re doing just fine. Before last week, I had not when it happens it feels like the end of the world. I felt like a fail- spent a lot of time thinking ure and I was immediately filled about the reality I’m now living with shame. How could I have in. Now that we’re in it, though, done this? What did I do wrong? I’ve been asked to share some of And most importantly, who have the things I’ve learned so far: I’ve learned that trying to trace I seen today? It was that last where this came from or how this happened is not a useful way to spend my time. It is true that we can reduce our risks by following county guidelines, but at the end of the day, we must accept that we cannot control what has already happened, but we can control what happens next. We can spend Guest Writer English Teacher

NATALIE WEI

COURTESY CAITLIN HANNON

time wallowing in self-pity and blame, or we can choose to count our blessings. We are healthy, we have each other, and we’re going to get through this. I’ve learned about the reality of quarantining. I am in the middle of a 10-day isolation period, required for individuals who test positive. Because they are too young to be vaccinated, my children will need to quarantine for at least an additional five days. At minimum, they will miss two weeks of school. Both my husband’s and my workplaces have COVID-19-related leave policies, so the fact that I cannot go to work and our children cannot go to school is an inconvenience, not the burden that many families with less generous insurance, or no insurance, have to endure. We cannot go to parks or playgrounds, but we have a backyard our children can play in. We can get groceries delivered, and we can afford to do so. This is not easy, but this is not impossible for our family. Time and again over the last week or so, I’ve been reminded of how challenging this would be if we did not have financial security. I’ve learned that admitting you have COVID-19 is hard. I assumed people would start treating me differently — I do, after all, have a very serious and contagious virus in my system. We’ve all been trained to fear it. But I think there is power in

naming it and talking about it. you. I was on the phone until at And I have found that once it is least 11 p.m. on the day I tested named, the conversations about positive with people reaching out needs and support can begin. to make sure that we were okay. I’ve learned that testing mat- Teachers from our school and ters. We have daily access to free from Almond, where my son is testing on our campus — it’s in kindergarten, have dropped so easy you can do it in a pass- off toys and games to keep our ing period. If I had not tested, kids occupied. I’ve had countI would have continued to come less offers of support for me, my to school and interact with hun- family, and my students. When I dreds of people — continuing to first saw my test results, I had a potentially expose all of those moment of panic — I felt like a individuals to this virus. Stick- failure, a pariah, a threat — but ing a swab up your nose is not immediately I found myself surfun, but it is easy, and it can rounded by a community that provide us with inforsaid: we are here; mation that can help you are not alone. us stop the spread of So what have I this virus. We owe it I felt like a faillearned? Stock up to each other to take ure, a pariah, on dried goods. advantage of this re- a threat — but Make a plan in case source. you have to quarimmediately I I’ve learned that antine. Test. Test vaccines matter. I had found myself again. And if you COVID-19 and I didn’t surrounded by a need help, look know it. My husband, community that around you. These my young children, said: we are people will hold you and my parents all up. continue to test nega- here; you are On the afternoon tive. As the days have not alone. I tested positive, I gone on, I’ve had some had to go back to symptoms, but they have been my classroom to pack up my minor. This could have been re- things and head home to isoally bad, and it wasn’t. I’m not late. Ms. Abel met me in the a doctor, but I’m going to thank hallway. She couldn’t hug me, my vaccine for that. she couldn’t come close. But she And finally, I’ve been reminded looked me in the eye and she of something that I’ve learned said with a confidence that hid time and again in my decade- her own fear, “It’s okay. Everylong tenure in this community: thing is going to be okay.” And These people will be here for she was right.

ACROSS: 1. RECENTLY DECEASED COMEDIAN MACDONALD 5. __ STORY, __SONG, __UP 6. ANY 13-19 YEAR OLD 7. FULL-BODY GARMENT WORN BY SOME MUSLIM WOMEN 8. CHOOSES FROM SEVERAL POSSIBILITES

DOWN: 1. __, BUT DOWN 2. LIKE A PDA 3. THE LOCKER ROOM DOES THIS (AXE DOESN’T HELP) 4. FEATURE OF THE COVID VACCINE, HATED BY BIO STUDENTS 5. RESORT DESTINATION FOR MANY A WEALTHY TOURIST NATALIE WEI

NATHANIEL JOFFE

The Talon September 24, 2021

Read more features articles at lahstalon.org/category/features/

Bears have made Downtown Los Altos their home — meet the artists who made it happen NATALIE WEI Senior Writer

For the first time in over a century, grizzly bears have once again been sighted in California — this time, prowling the streets of Downtown Los Altos as part of a new public art show. Whether sporting sunglasses or hard hats, saxophones or fruit bowls, the 54 fiberglass bears, courtesy of the Los Altos Rotary Club, have become an object of local pride. The hand-painted bears each feature their own individual theme complete with custom accessories. After months of work on behalf of Rotarians, sponsors and local artists, they’ve been set free to roam the city. Every year, Rotarians organize projects to raise donations for local charities, scholarship funds, wildfire victims and more. However, due to weather in 2019 and pandemic concerns in 2020, funds were greatly depleted. “We didn’t know if we would be able to have an art show where people could gather,” Los Altos Rotary Club Member Carol Dabb said. “I came up with the idea of the Los Altos bears because in the event that we couldn’t

congregate, a bear could be placed here and there without crowding.” Dabb planned out the project in homage to CowParade, a public art event featuring painted resin and ceramic cows exhibited across Chicago. The significance of the bears is two-fold: Not only are they the California state animal, but they can also be decorated to have “fanciful, funny and beautiful” human-like qualities. “I chose to celebrate coming out of our own pandemic hibernation,” Dabb said. “Our goal was to bring joy and happiness back into our community, and people have just been thrilled with the bears. It’s a very happy thing.” The bears can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes, from 20-inch sitting bears all the way up to 8-foot community bears. Unique themes were decided by sponsors, who then worked with local artists to achieve a distinct style and feel. In addition to contacting professionals, Dabb opened the door for student involvement, and Los Altos students ended up painting many of the bears. “The high school has such

COURTESY ALESSIA CIS

Senior Alessia Cis works on her Roman Bear, one of many painted bears that can now be found throughout Downtown Los Altos. The project, organized by the Los Altos Rotary Club, has offered professional opportunities to various local artists. talent,” Dabb said. “The students that participated were truly talented youngsters, and so willing to give. We also invited various

groups of high school-age kids, but Los Altos has had the most — and the best — participants.” The project had no shortage of

naysayers in its infancy. People believed that the project would fail to turn a profit, or that the bears would be vandalized. But after the roaring success of the fundraiser, with all bears successfully securing bids, most naysayers have changed their tune. “It’s very gratifying to have so many people say that they’re enjoying the bears — and it’s been very gratifying for people who told me at the beginning that it was a stupid idea, now telling me they were wrong,” Dabb said. On Saturday, October 9, the bears will be sold at a live virtual auction aptly named “The Hibernation is Over Party.” Once winning bidders take ownership of the bears, it’ll be up to them to decide where the bears go. But whether they’re stalking downtown storefronts or sunbathing in backyards, they’ll always be remembered as a delight. “Many people don’t understand the joy that art can bring,” Dabb said. “It was a different story once the bears came out on the streets. They ask me, ‘Will you do it again next year, Carol?’”

Meet the Student Artists and Their Creations Alessia Cis ceramic booths. But this was her first time taking the hobby in a professional direction. The 20-inch bear was commissioned as a birthday gift for the sponsor’s daughter. Sporting a toga, a laurel wreath and sandals, the Roman Bear took about three weeks to complete. The toga is embellished with various depictions of Roman architecture like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, along with a statue of Juno painted right on the back. “The Juno statue is a family heirloom,” Alessia said. “Someone in her family found it at an archaeology dig, and it’s been in the family ever since. The sponsor was planning on putting it on COURTESY ALESSIA CIS the bear to give it to her daughCommissioned as a birthday ter, to pass it onto the next gengift, Alessia’s Roman Bear is a whimsical fusion of classical eration — I’m sure she’ll really culture and the animal kingdom. like it.” The whimsical task of commade. bining animals and architecture forced Alessia out of her comfort When Los Altos senior Alessia zone. Faced with two unfamiliar Cis joined the National Art Hon- fields, she relied on research and or Society last year, experimentation to she certainly didn’t guide her efforts, and envision herself meis proud of her bear. ticulously painting a The Juno statue “The fur was certoga on a fiberglass is a famtainly a part that was bear six months later. ily heirloom. tedious, but it also But when Rotarians Someone in her certainly paid off,” reached out to the Alessia said. “The club with the oppor- family found it bear took a lot of tunity, she knew her at an archaeolhours; it felt like it experience as an AP ogy dig, and it’s would never end. So Latin student would been in the fam- once you finally see it lend itself perfectly to all coming together, ily ever since. the Roman Bear. it’s really satisfying.” — Alessia Cis Alessia enjoys giving back to the commuThe Roman Bear nity through art, an interest stem- can be found perched outside of ming from childhood arts festivals Lisa’s Tea Treasures, proudly surwhere she frequented do-it-yourself veying its empire.

Yash Nasikkar

COURTESY YASH NASIKKAR

Yash’s fiery take on Smokey the Bear has dazzled Los Altos residents, attracting the highest bid of any bear in its size. Yash Nasikkar is another Los Altos senior who has lit up the town with his project, a take on the beloved Smokey the Bear. His work is currently sitting at a bid of $10,000, attracting the highest bid of any bear in its size. When contacted by sponsors through NAHS to work on a Smokey-inspired bear, the aspir-

ing graphic designer took a stroll through Downtown Los Altos for inspiration. “I noticed that a lot of the bears were realistic,” Yash said. “I wanted to do something different, something more graphical.” Yash’s Smokey the Bear is a 5-foot-2 representation of the

figure with his own artistic touch — instead of the typical dark brown coat, Yash’s rendition has striking red-and-orange fur fashioned into f lames. His literal take on the fire-fighting bear is a stand-out addition with no shortage of attention. “There have been hundreds of Smokey the Bears that look the same over the past 70 years and I wanted to add my own flair to it,” Yash said. “I broke away from tradition and designed something with a twist.” Despite a fresh coat of paint, Smokey’s signature accessories — his trademark hat, jeans and shovel — make his likeness undeniable. Yash cut up old jeans to give Smokey real denim cuffs and pockets, adding a textural component to the design. The bear took over 60 hours to complete. Afterward, he also worked with the Rotarians to design an interactive map displaying the locations and descriptions of all the bears. “Graphic design is in my opinion, a lot more fun to look at than traditional art,” Yash said. “Realism can always be done with a photo — design is a very powerful and complex way to convey a purpose.” Just as Smokey would have wanted, Yash will be donating 10 percent of his proceeds to California wildfire relief. He is also creating a poster based on his design to spread fire awareness, with QR codes to websites accepting donations.

Find Smokey the Bear outside the UPS store, keeping a watchful eye on Los Altos residents.

The Talon September 24, 2021

LAHS graduate Yao Yao Xiao empowers the deaf community ROSE LIU Business Manager

When Yao Yao Xiao, Los Altos High School ’21, was young, she would be astonished by headphone-wearing joggers during the summer; she thought those strange, white wires were meant to protect people from cold. It wasn’t until Yao Yao put on her first hearing aids that she learned people wore those wires to hear music. “Okay, so maybe those joggers weren’t so strange after all,” Yao Yao said in her TED talk filmed by the LAHS TEDx Club in April. Yao Yao was born with sensorineural hearing loss, an incurable condition due to nerve damage inside the ear. She can only hear an extremely limited range of sounds, which can be amplified by hearing aids. Despite the difficulties of public speaking due to her hearing barrier, Yao Yao delivered a powerful speech on behalf of the deaf community advocating for accessibility. Later, it was uploaded to TEDx Talks, a YouTube channel with 31.6 million subscribers. While her TED Talk is an impressive accomplishment on its own, the resilience behind her many successes is the true start of her story.

Her Journey Yao Yao’s journey began in Shanghai, China, where she attended a boarding school for deaf children. When she was 6 years old, her family decided to immigrate to the United States in search of a better chance at equity in education and in life. However, transitioning to the United States wasn’t easy. On top of the irritatingly bright Californian sun that bothered Yao Yao when she first came to the United States, she had to cope with a language barrier. “For me to understand people, I need to adjust to their movements, lip read and filter out background noise,” Yao Yao said. “[However] no matter how hard I tried to hear in the classroom, I simply could not close the huge gap of verbal communication.” While there is nothing Yao Yao could have done about the Californian sun, she said the challenges she faced pushed her to adapt and develop communication strategies for her education and day-to-day interactions. On top of her own fortitude, her family also encouraged her to look beyond her disability and break through those difficulties. “I had to study for classes weeks or months ahead of time.” Yao Yao said. “I would preview the fall semester by taking college courses over the summer, so I was able to access audio transcripts from lecture videos.” As Yao Yao maintained her resilience throughout high school, She was able to excel in her classes. When she looks back on her time in school and looks to her future, Yao Yao believes that she has reached her highest potential. Yao Yao is currently an incoming freshman at UC Santa Barbara majoring in psychological and brain sciences. She claimed that while part of her reason for choosing pre-med was to satisfy her Asian parents, she is fascinated by the

combination of science and the might perceive as a setback into nuance of human perspectives. her own power. “If it weren’t for the people I’ve “I began to filter my thoughts interacted with in my own jourfrom ‘what I miss out’ to ‘what I ney, I wouldn’t be where I am togained’,” Yao Yao said. “I saw that day.” Yao Yao said. “Hence in the my ‘flaw’ was a source of strength, future, I want to give as it had enabled me back. I aspire to work to be resourceful, inwith other people, adtuitive and empathetvocate for them, and “I saw that ic. I’m still discoveralso pursue my interest my ‘flaw’ was ing new ways that my in behavioral neurosci- a source of ‘disability’ is gifting ence. me everyday.” strength, as it Yao Yao hopes to capAfter discovering ture different perspec- had enabled me her strengths from tives of people in her to be resourceethe challenges she future, and she is open ful, intuitve, and faced, Yao Yao found to different career op- empathetic. I’m purpose in helping tions that would allow others to overcome still discovering their her to do so. insecurities “Humans are com- new ways that through photography. plex and nuanced,” my ‘disability is During photo sesYao Yao said. “We see gifting me every sions with her friends, through a lens defined Yao Yao often noby personal experience, day.” tices their hidden — Yao Yao Xiao, upbringing, trauma, insecurities about LAHS ’21 relationships, and etc. their body types and Writing, creating and appearances through photographing are my own crethe way they pose or react to the ative expressions to tell my story, camera. and the story of other people. “Photography paired very well [Therefore] who knows? In 10 with my intuitiveness,” Yao Yao years, I might end up being a playsaid. “Being deaf has allowed me wright instead.” to be more perceptive about people around me. Because I can’t hear with my ears, I’ve learned to listen with my whole body. I can physically sense if people are unHer Superpower comfortable through the energy they give off.” After initially sensing their disWhile Yao Yao celebrates the difcomfort in front of the camera, Yao ferences of people today, she used to fight against her self-conscious- Yao aims to use her skill to capture her subjects’ advantages and help ness about her disability. “Everyone in China knew I was them regain confidence in themdeaf,” Yao Yao said. “But in the selves. “My camera helped me capture U.S., I felt the need to hide it. I was already different. Whenever I got a a new depth of detail [like the] haircut, I would always ask to have swirls of their irises, and the way I my hair cut into a bob long enough captured that image allowed them to cover my ears, so I could hide to see my perception of them,” Yao my hearing aids. But even during Yao said in reference to a photothe haircut, I would take off my shoot of a friend. “The more seshearing aids because I was afraid sions I had with them, the more I of what the barber would think if got to see them grow. It’s amazing to fine-tune your own photograhe saw them.” However, Yao Yao started to no- phy skills, but it’s such a different tice the distinct advantages that experience to see someone grow in she possesses. Like she said, peo- confidence and embody the sensaple adapt to their sensory losses by tional human being they’ve always been.” making them up in other areas. “I was more visually observant and could pick up more spatially than most of my classmates,” Yao Her Voice Yao said. “It also enhanced my senses when I played sports, which helped me become more aware on Yao Yao’s world became filled and off the field. Additionally, I with confusion during the panwas able to prove to myself that my demic as masks prevented her hearing impairment did not have from lip reading others and Zoom any direct affect on how well I can classes prevented her from observdo in school. I found creative ways ing the body language of others. to learn that other people may not As a result, Yao Yao found herself have discovered. needing accommodations like Yao Yao’s shift in mindset has captions, which were not availallowed her to turn what others able.

COURTESY YAO YAO XIAO

Through her photography, Yao Yao has helped encourage her subjects to overcome insecurities with their bodies.

COURTESY YAO YAO XIAO

When Yao Yao Xiao arrived in California at age six, the challenges of overcoming a language barrier as a deaf person seemed insurmountable. Now, she’s headed to University of California Santa Barbara as an accomplished photographer, public speaker and advocate for the hearing-impaired community. “I was not provided captions for emailed individual companies like the last three months of my junior Zoom to ask for patented versions year and the first three months of captioning. “The deaf community is a small of my senior year,” Yao Yao said. “Imagine how many lectures, units one, but we need representation; or important information I missed we need social reform,” Yao Yao during those six months. I could said. “We want to be included in no longer turn to the person sit- the conversation, literally and ting next to me for notes during figuratively. We live in the Siliclass if I didn’t catch something, con Valley, where progress and or walk up to my teachers after innovation are constantly seeing exponential growth. It astounds school for support.” In order to catch up on the con- me how limited technology is for tent she missed, Yao Yao had to people with disabilities. Think complete supplementary study- about it: I could change my backing, spending hours drilling her ground on Zoom to have videos subjects on Khan Academy. When of cats, but I couldn’t even access she tried to gain access to the cap- what is being said.” The good news is that Yao tions of a class from the start of the pandemic, Yao Yao said her voice Yao found out that even though captioning remains was ignored. a limited market, “I had to fight for some companies captioning for so such as Hamilton long, which is re- “We live in Relay, Ave and Webally not okay,” Yao Yao Silicon Valley, Captioner are beginsaid. “They just put where progress ning to improve their it on the back burner software to allow for for over six months. and innovation accessibility. In her That’s a lot of missed are constantly TED Talk, Yao Yao content. It wasn’t seeing expourges people to supsomething I wasn’t nential growth. port and advocate used to, though. It It astounds me for those companies amazes me how much to empower the deaf effort I’ve needed to how limited community. technology is put in all my life.” On top of supportFrom elementary for people with ing innovation, Yao school to high school, disabilities.” Yao also encourages Yao Yao often en— Yao Yao Xiao, teachers to undercountered difficulties LAHS ’21 stand the imporwhen seeking out tance of maintaining accommodations. While different types of accom- accommodations for deaf stumodations were available, Yao dents in their classes and taking Yao’s requests were often not pri- steps as small as turning on the oritized by teachers. The pandem- live transcript every Zoom class. “Even despite the challenges ic has been a painful reminder for Yao Yao of the limited accessibility I’ve endured, I realize that I’m the school and the hearing com- a person of privilege to be in a place where there were financial munity has for deaf people. Instead of staying silent, Yao Yao resources to support me.” Yao chose to speak up for herself and Yao said in her Ted Talk. “It’s my the deaf community. She reached job to use my voice. Individually, out to the principal, speech thera- I don’t have the power to bring pists, Individualized Educational systemic change. But by speakPlan coordinators and many oth- ing out here today, we can start ers to resolve the issue. She even something.”

The Talon September 24, 2021

Read more reviews of new movies, music and more, plus read the Arts & Culture archives at lahstalon.org/category/artsculture

‘ShangChi’ CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE As Liu puts it, “Representation matters, and it’s about more than just actors on a screen. It’s about snacks, it’s about food, it’s about culture, in every possible way.” And hey, if legions of TikTok teens discovering (and thirsting over) Tony Leung is another one of

those ways, more power to them. Of course, the critiques that this really isn’t Asian Americans’ Black Panther are certainly valid. You could argue that this isn’t the kind of representation that we need — after all, most Asian Americans live in a reality far removed from the gravity-defying heroics of “ShangChi” or the high-roller life of billionaires in “Crazy Rich Asians.” In a time of horrific violence against Asians worldwide, “Shang-Chi” certainly could have dug deeper into the immigrant experience or xenophobia the way “Black Panther” was bold enough to tackle themes of systemic racism and

Black liberation. But just because “Shang-Chi” is one of the rare Asian-led films to break through to the mainstream, doesn’t mean it should be saddled with the burden of encompassing everything about the Asian American experience. It shouldn’t have to discuss racial trauma to count as representation. There are stories out there showing the nuances of our experience: “Kim’s Convenience,” “The Farewell” and Wong Fu Productions’ YouTube videos, to name a few. And “Shang-Chi” is paving the way for more. “Shang-Chi” breaks down stereotypes and the “othering” of

MARVEL

Xialing prepares to fight her brother, Shang-Chi. As Marvel’s first film to feature an almost all-Asian cast and production, Shang-Chi makes strides for Asian representation.

Asians by showing that we are the entirety of “Captain Marvel,” far more than just a shallow ar- Marvel doesn’t have a great track chetype. The movie introduces record with its female characters. a host of well-developed, three- Xialing’s development is just andimensional characters to join the other example of how Marvel’s ranks of iconic Asian American attempts at female empowerment characters like our favorite himbo are improving, but still fail to stick Jason Mendoza (“The the landing. Good Place”), walking So yes, “Shangdisaster Devi VishwaChi” doesn’t kumar (“Never Have Just because manage to comI Ever”) and judgy ‘Shang-Chi’ is one pletely break out conscience Ben Harof the Marvel of the rare Asiangreeves (“The Ummold, but it still led films to break brella Academy”). more than delivPlot-wise, how- through to the main- ers, especially ever, “Shang-Chi” stream, doesn’t considering all falls prey to the same the pressure put mean it should be weaknesses as “Black upon it to do Widow,” ultimately saddled with the well (insert stock sacrificing compel- burden of encomphoto Simu ling character devel- passing everything pointing and opment and relation- about the Asian laughing at the ships for Marvel’s haters). At the typical zero-stakes fi- American experiend of the day nal battle with far too ence. “Shang-Chi” is much CGI. not just another The final act is especially disap- derivative Marvel movie that pads pointing because it completely Disney’s pockets: Its box office sidelines instant fan-favorite Xi- success signals to Hollywood that aling (who rivals Yelena Belova Asian stories — this time told by for the title of most kickass little an Asian director, writer, costume sister) in favor of highlighting designer and cast — have value. Shang’s development. Instead Just a few months ago 42 perof giving her a single moment of cent of Americans were reported emotional closure with her father to be unable to name a single after being ignored and underesti- famous Asian American (yep, mated by him all her life, Marvel not even our Vice President…). kills off the villain (because re- “Shang-Chi” is shattering that indemption is too much effort) and visibility, pushing Asian faces to sets Xialing up as a girlboss vil- the forefront of American media lain, glossing over her past. From and making sure that we cannot that awkwardly forced “girl power” be ignored. scene in “Avengers: Endgame” to

Cancel culture isn’t real — just look at Matt Damon NATALIE WEI

It entered the mainstream in 2015 as a way to stop supporting public Let’s set things straight: When a figures whose views or actions you celebrity loses fans for problemat- disagreed with. It’s since escalated ic opinions, they aren’t being can- into a usually performative way of celed. When someone loses their blasting people for their mistakes job for harassment, they aren’t be- under the guise of political coring canceled. Since it entered the rectness. We blame cancel culture mainstream, we’ve turned “can- for fostering a narrow-minded cel” into such a buzzword that no- Gen Z, one that doesn’t let people body really knows what it means learn from their past. Now, if we criticize a celebrity anymore. for something — no matter how Cancel culture isn’t a new topic wrong — we’re “canceling” them. to harp on — the take that “cancel culture is ruining society” isn’t This has led people to whine quite so revolutionary anymore. about cancel culture as a product But as much as we complain about of sensitive “snowflakes,” as if the our faves getting canceled, it’s only people we’re trying to cancel hard to tell what modern cancel- are comedians who made sexist jokes in 2005. But this completely lation entails. YouTuber David Dobrik was erases any capacity for nuance and complicit in the rape of an in- shades of severity. It’s true that people who mistoxicated college student. After spoke 10 years ago probwe “canceled” him, ably don’t deserve to be he lost a couple of deplatformed. But the sponsorships but is But referring same can’t be said for now more popular to all criticism the dozens of celebthan ever. rities who walk away as canceling Musician Morgan from rape or abuse alWallen was “can- equates harmlegations completely celed” by radio sta- ful views or unscathed, with a shiny tions after he was actions with new project announced caught using racial within the next week. slurs on tape, but genuine misIn both cases, the his music sales con- takes. public deems all crititinued to soar. He’s cism cancel culture, deback to performing spite being applied to egregiously and has an upcoming new single. Matt Damon, who admitted to different situations. Cancel culture makes us think using the f-slur as recently as a few of people who purposefully dig up months ago, was “canceled” excludirt on celebrities or spread clips sively on Twitter, with no other reof politically incorrect statements percussions for his actions. How did cancel culture begin? from a decade ago. We associate it with bullying and death threats Senior Writer

NATALIE WEI

Since its entry into the mainstream, cancel culture has become the hot topic to complain about — but how we treat cancel culture ignores nuance and complexity in favor of blanket statements. and an inability to see things enjoy their content and hold the multimillionaires can handle it. through an objective lens. moral high ground. Instead of jumping to the blanIt’s easy to diminish the validBut referring to all criticism as ket solution of cancelation, we ity of “cancelation” and label any canceling equates harmful views should examine each situation and all criticism as a product of or actions with genuine mistakes. for its own nuances. The next mob mentality. It justifies holding We shouldn’t be treating crimes time cancel culture inevitably no celebrities accountable at all, as serious as sexual assault like strikes, it’s important not to be which means you never have to they’re at all comparable to mildly swept up by mob mentality — confront the decision of choosing insensitive jokes, especially when not only the mob mentality that whether or not to continue sup- the stakes have devolved to being we should condemn all wrongdoporting them. So long as it’s la- bullied on Twitter before the news ers, but also the mob mentality beled cancel culture, you can still cycle moves on — trust me, the that all criticism is illegitimate.

A R T S & C U LT U R E

The Talon September 24, 2021

Lorde’s ‘Solar Power’-ed return to the mainstage NINA CROFTS Senior Writer

There’s a rather dramatic contrast between the life problems of a 16-, 20- and 24-year-old. And, if Lorde’s new album “Solar Power” is any indication of the mind of a 24-year-old, it’s filled with subdued reflections on one’s youth, the paralyzing fear of getting older and eco-anxiety. Lorde’s debut and sophomore albums, “Pure Heroine” and “Melodrama,” channel electric energy and angsty lyrics. They radiate teenager, ruminating on heartbreak, adolescence and fame. But “Solar Power” is different. It feels more like a quarterlife crisis, examining different types of emotion, from the death of a pet on “Big Star” to a love letter to the place where she rose to fame on “California.” Her free-spirited energy radiates from the music, and the 1970s psychedelic tones offer a throwback feel and album you can jam to as well. Yet the drastic change in tone on “Solar Power” did come as an unwelcome shock to some. Some diehard fans on Twitter and TikTok lamented its happy tones, as though her transition into joy and sunstreaked radiance is betrayal and she’s a traitor to the “sad girl” aesthetic. She’s not. She’s a human being, not a vessel for teenage angst.

Knowing that a famous singer feels the same pain as you do can feel comforting, but it’s not the burden of pop artists to bear the brunt of our emotional turmoil. In many tracks, it feels as though she’s speaking directly to her fanbase about this unrealistic expectation. On track one, “The Path,” she sings, “Now if you’re looking for a saviour, well, that’s not me

/ You need someone to take your pain for you? / Well, that’s not me,” preemptively addressing some critiques of the album. It speaks a great deal to how Gen Z can often force artists into boxes, but artistry is never that simple. The themes of one’s music will change, as people change throughout their lives. You don’t have to love “Solar Power,” but it’s

LORDE

cheap criticism to say her joy hinders the album. On the lyrical side, “Solar Power” feels like an older sibling’s comfort, a reassurance that everything will be okay, while not looking past the more complex issues you come to develop in young adulthood, whether it be a greater understanding of the world around you or a deeper grasp on interpersonal relations. Take “Secrets From a Girl,” which is midway through the album, and contemplates how her life has changed since she was a teenager. It is inspired by “Ribs,” a fan favorite from “Pure Heroine” that can be summed up by its lyric “It feels so scary getting old.” In “Secrets From a Girl,” Lorde takes two chords from “Ribs” and reverses them as an ode to her younger self. For those who turned to “Ribs” for solace from the pains of teenagedom, “Secrets from a Girl” is a welcome consolation. As a 16-year-old, to know the girl who wrote “Pure Heroine” at my age is writing an album like “Solar Power” eight years later is comforting. Her three-album span reflects her growth emotionally, and for an emotionally volatile teenager, it’s nice to know that someone you look up to has moved through it with radiance.

And while “Solar Power” is radically different from its predecessors, it is just as cohesive. From the title track to “The Path” to “Fallen Fruit,” Lorde writes a love letter to Mother Nature and a call to listeners to care for the environment, without the lyrics slipping into cringeworthy preachiness. In subtle yet pointed lyrics, “Fallen Fruit” reads, “From the Nissan to the Phantom to the plane / We’ll disappear in the cover of the rain,” naming sources of carbon dioxide emissions and concerns over climate-related flash flooding. And she doesn’t just talk the talk; she walks the walk. “Solar Power” does not have a CD option, as they are plastic-based. Instead, she offers a “music box,” a CD-sized package which includes exclusive posters, notes from her and a link to a digital download of the album. Ultimately, “Solar Power” is about cutting yourself some slack, and simply living with the vibes of mother nature. It’s a carefully created album that makes pointed comments about the state of the world, but also something you can relax to and dance to. For those who are ecstatic to see Lorde return from a silent threeyear hiatus better and brighter, it’s golden.

Do you really want to be ‘that girl’? ANIKA SIKKA

At the surface level, this trend sounds amazing — or at least, much better than teaching chilI love productivity. Crossing off dren to eat Tide Pods or grass (re: all the tasks on my planner and Hank Green’s comment section). cleaning my closet are the most Encouraging children to set goals satisfying things in the world. I and be healthy sounds like more also love TikTok (no explanation of what we need on TikTok. But needed there). So, when my two on my journey to transform into favorite things in the whole world “that girl,” I discovered the dark came together and birthed the side to the pretty stationery and “that girl” trend, $20 salads. I was obsessed. I The “that girl” trend had to try it imon TikTok is a feeding The ‘that girl’ mediately. ground for negativity. The “that girl” trend is teachIt gives anonymous factrend claims to ing young girls es an excuse to spew toxic promote producthat only skinny, expectations onto young tivity and healthy girls. Users typecast girls lifestyles by en- white, rich girls who don’t eat healthy evcouraging people can be idealized ery day or don’t exercise to romanticize in society. as “gross.” They scrutitheir lives and post nize girls with oily skin them on TikTok or hair (typically women of color), with extremely aesthetic vlogs of calling them terms such as “dirty” their day-to-day routines. or “musty,” and actively exclude Like them, I began by vlogging young women of color. my days in hopes of recording Users also categorize girls based my progress in being “that girl.” on the clothing brands they wear, I woke up every day at 7:30 a.m, deeming Lululemon and Brandy made variations of smoothies and Melville as the only acceptable avocado toast for breakfast and brands. Not only can Lululemon started to scrupulously plan my clothing prices veer into the “hunlife. dreds of dollars” range, but brands I lasted approximately two like Brandy Melville also promote weeks. Although I was following unrealistic body standards. One all the steps “that girls” recom- size does not, in fact, fit all. mended to join their ranks, my The “that girl” trend is teaching vlogs and life didn’t turn out as young girls that only skinny, white, crisp as theirs, and I’ve come to re- rich girls can be idealized in socialize why. ety. The trend is teaching that girls To be “that girl” is not just who don’t fit into that standard a trend. It’s a lifestyle, one of aren’t living up to their potential. pretty planners, Lululemon and Girls who cannot afford $100 legiced coffee. It encourages people gings or organic salads every meal — especially young girls — to are now being told that because of “live their best lives” by partak- these circumstances — of which ing in constant goal setting and they have no control — they aren’t self-reflection (and purchasing worthy of appreciation, which can those god-awful white Lululemon harm their self-image. shorts). News Editor

Along with being a classist and materialistic mess, the “that girl” trend is blatantly misogynistic. Only girls are being held to this standard of cleanliness and productivity; I haven’t seen a single man on TikTok be shamed for the oil on his skin or hair, nor have I seen someone openly shame a man for eating at a fast-food restaurant. In fact, this trend is so directed to girls that if a man participated in it, his comment section would not even closely resemble what I see in most girls’ comment sections. This trend teaches young girls that the only way to be “worthy” is to conform to age-old stereo-

types of beauty. Telling girls that they’re not valued unless they’re productive and drink green juices doesn’t help promote goal setting in any way. If anything, it makes them less motivated to make personal goals and more motivated to focus on superficial standards. I found myself worrying more about how certain clips in my vlogs looked rather than the actual work I was doing, which made me less productive. And sure, being “that girl” added consistency into my routine, but it took away the spice in my life. There’s something so liberating about having a half-eaten

cupcake for breakfast as opposed to avocado toast every single day. It’s captivating to stay in your home all day, doing your math homework and watching Netflix. So, I’m telling you, it’s okay if you’re not “that girl.” Really, it is. You don’t need to wear buttery leggings or eat healthy foods for breakfast all the time. You don’t need to vlog your 6 a.m. workouts and aesthetic planners to flaunt a flawless, productive lifestyle. You don’t need to fit society’s warped ideals of productivity or vlog every aspect of your life — TikTok @user12821_2812’s opinion doesn’t matter.

ELYSSA KENNEDY

The Talon September 24, 2021

A R T S & C U LT U R E

ELYSSA KENNEDY Senior Writer

With the start of fall comes the return of pumpkin spice lattes. Here is a definitive ranking from the three big coffee companies — Starbucks, Peet’s and Dunkin’ — to help decide which latte is best for you. Ranking sweetness, price, visuals and the strength of the coffee, hopefully, you can determine which version deserves the title of “best pumpkin spice latte.”

In comparison to the aesthetics of Dunkin’s drink, the pumpkin spice latte from Peet’s looks like a beige cardigan from Nordstrom. The drink comes with no caramel drizzle or whipped cream, which is a crime, and this is before you realize those toppings will cost you an extra 40 cents to the already steep $4.55. Still, this fall beverage tastes like a true pumpkin spice latte and already has me thinking about fall leaves and cozy blankets. The espresso and pumpkin spice flavors complement each other nicely, and the local company has high-quality coffee. The drink tastes like a warm hug, which makes it easy to forgive the small sizes and high cost. Peet’s is the target fall latte for coffee drinkers who don’t mind a drink on the pricey side.

OVERALL: A APPEARANCE: B FLAVOR: A FALL FEELS: B+ PRICE: B

OVERALL: B+ APPEARANCE: BFLAVOR: B+ FALL FEELS: B+ PRICE: A-

Dunkin’s pumpkin spice latte looks like fall — it comes with whipped cream and a mix of pumpkin and caramel drizzle on top. Naturally, I thought it would be everything that I hoped for and more. I pictured a semi-sweet latte with flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon with a smooth espresso taste. Spoiler: That’s not what I got. The latte just tastes like sweetened condensed milk, and I was left wondering, Where’s the coffee? All I get is overpowering milk, sugar and pumpkin spice, but that may be the fall mood you’re looking for. However, if you’re not a big fan of coffee, the Dunkin’ latte doesn’t taste like it packs a punch. The drink allows you to have the caffeine boost without the bitter flavor. So if you want a sugary and cheap pumpkin spice latte, this drink has your name written on it.

Is anyone really surprised by this score? Compared to a regular latte, Starbucks’s pumpkin drink is already a little off-putting with its artificial, fluorescent orange appearance, and the infamously complicated sizes. Despite the visuals, the drink itself is just the right ratio of milk to espresso with free, optional whipped cream. It could certainly do with a little more pumpkin spice, but there is still a pleasant combination of cinnamon and nutmeg. The Starbucks drink is perfect for coffee drinkers who are willing to sacrifice some quality for a cheaper price.

OVERALL: C+ APPEARANCE: A+ FLAVOR: C+ FALL FEELS: BPRICE: A

The Talon September 24. 2021

Read more sports articles at lahstalon.org/category/sports

Tennis

so many years, I was hoping we could come to some agreement to help Mountain View have their own space too. But unforCONTINUED FROM THE tunately this is the situation we FRONT PAGE were left with.” The Eagles have been optimizing in the only way they “Mountain View’s matches can, finding practice spaces are scheduled on Mondays and and times whenever possible. Wednesdays so we really have These chalno practice lenges have time,” varsity made the start doubles playMountain View’s match- of the season er senior Sofia difficult, but Mujica said. es are scheduled on the Eagles are “ W h e r e a s Mondays and Wednesalready seeing MVHS prac- days so we really have improvement. tices at Reng- no practice time,” They celebratstorff on their varsity doubles player ed their first off days, we’re win of the seasenior Sofia Mujica going match son on Tuesafter match said. “Whereas MVHS day, Septemwith little practices at Rengstorff ber 21, where practice beon their off days, we’re they domifore each.” nated against There is lit- going match after Saratoga High tle the Eagles match with little pracSchool 7–0. can do about tice before each. The JV girls the inconve— senior Sofia Mujica have proved nience. The their resilteam is curience too by rently trying winning all to work their practice times four of their matches by sigaround MVHS matches, but nificant margins against Gunn there are often few hours of High School, Cupertino High daylight left to practice in. School, MVHS and Saratoga “Essentially, this becomes High School. The Eagles hope [Mountain View’s] home court for a more consistent schedule for certain days,” LAHS varsity as the season progresses, but girls tennis coach Hung Nguythey have faith that they will en said. “Seeing as how Saint triumph in future matches reFrancis High School has had gardless. an agreement with the City for

Senior Rose Liu serves during a doubles match against Mountain View High School.

ROHAN VASWANI

Los Altos High School tennis courts are still in use despite construction on the back field. Students from Mountain View High School have been assigned these courts for matches as their own tennis courts are out of use due to construction at MVHS.

Girls lacrosse welcomes new coach Christina Sabin MIRA SUNDAR Sports Editor

Coming from a household where team sports were an integral part of everyday life, Christina Sabin knew exactly what athletic environment she was after when she tried out for her first lacrosse team. At first she was just tagging along with a friend to try out for a local club team, barely knowing any of the rules, but eventually the sport stuck. “My first year was miserable,” Sabin said. “I hated it. I didn’t know how to do anything; from passing to shooting the ball, I didn’t understand any of it.”

But rather than quit after her terrible experience, she told herself that going into high school, she would try out for the school team, just to see what would happen. Little did she know, the sport would eventually become her passion and the very thing she’d be inspiring other girls to give a shot. “I had a blast,” Sabin said, crediting her amazing high school lacrosse experience to her high school coach — an old school New Yorker with a Brooklyn accent. “He was just really ‘nitty gritty,’ but honestly one of the best coaches I’ve had. Without him I wouldn’t have found my passion for the sport and my love

COURTESY CHRISTINA SABIN

Sabin (center) is pictured with some of her fellow teammates at Occidental College. She played four years of lacrosse in college and is excited to share the lessons she has learned through her time as a player and her visions for the upcoming season this Spring with the rest of the LAHS team.

COURTESY CHRISTINA SABIN

Sabin is pictured coaching her club team. She has prior coaching experience through her time coaching Team NorCal and the Tomahawks Lacrosse Club. She is excitd to bring what she has learned through these experienciences to her career coaching the Los Altos High School girls lacrosse team.

for being a team player.” And it was due to this newfound passion for the sport that Sabin felt she could continue to play through college. She went on to play Division 3 lacrosse at Occidental College, where she received her bachelor’s in art and art history. While playing at Occidental College, she found many life-long friends in her teammates, and that camaraderie is something that she still cherishes today. The new girls lacrosse coach Sabin hopes to carry that support

over to the Los Altos High School lacrosse team. She wants her players to love the sport and aims to further expand the program — which is known for being notoriously small — to have a junior varsity team to play parallel to the varsity team. “While my goal this season is to obviously win some games, I do hope to be able to share some of the lessons that I learned as a player with my future team,” Sabin said. Going into this upcoming season, Sabin hopes to build the team

around a strong defensive side, as she believes in order to have a strong offensive you must have a solid defense — a result of her time as a defensive player in college. She translates this same coaching principle to her two club teams: Team NorCal and the Tomahawks Lacrosse Club, a travel team based in Palo Alto. “My ultimate goal this season is to make my team into better players and better people, just like my high school coach did for me,” Sabin said.

The Talon | Issue 1 | September 24, 2021

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