Volume 65, Issue 4, December 18, 2024

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Volume 654 Issue 4 | | Dec.2202424

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LATEST AT MILLS

Students whose films won awards were invited on stage to speak about their creations.

Mills Dragon Dance Team Soon to Return to Millbrae and SF Events Learn about the team’s upcoming performances.

News on pages 2-3

Focusing in on Mills’ Student Photographers

FALL 2024

FILM FEST.

Photography has regained popularity in recent years, and several students have taken this passion even further.

Features on pages 4-5

Unique Gift Ideas for Secret Santa or White Elephant Behind on your gifting game? Discover new gifts that you can purchase for friends and family this winter season.

Center-spread on pages 6-7

The Psychology Behind Cheating Students Many students are guilty of cheating on tests and assignments despite knowing it’s wrong. So then, why do they still do it?

Opinions on pages 8-9

Cross Country Attends CIF State Meet Cross Country reaches new heights after making it to the CIF State Meet! Read into the experiences of the team at this big event.

Sports on pages 10-11

Mills YouTuber Mark Chan As kids, we dreamt of starting a YouTube channel.

Mills student Mark Chan is making it his reality.

Entertainment on page 12

Left Bottom: A scene from “A Caw By the Coast” Right Bottom: A scene from “Murder”

Mills Debuts First Ever Fall Film Festival

S

Eduardo Galindo, Copy Editor

howcasing a total of 35 films, Mills’ first Fall One film that received the “Best Horror Award” was Film Festival brought together a collection “Murder” by Teddy Lerner (11), Kingsley Chow (11), and of incredible student films from beginning Jacob Ramos (11). When speaking about winning the Media Arts students as well as advanced award, Lerner noted, “[I was a] little nervous because I students. Ranging from animation to had to go up and speak, but yeah, overall, pretty happy live-action thrillers, this cinematic that our movie won…because I was proud of it.” showcase amazed the audience, The Film “Murder” was about a murderer on the and with the introduction of a new live voting loose, and the main character played by Lerner was the system, audiences were able to help give subject of that murder. With its suspenseful thriller awards to their favorite films. and jump scares, the audience was entertained In previous years, the Spring Film Festival the whole way through. had entries that were primarily limited to A select group of advanced Media Arts the work of advanced Media Arts students, students were also tasked with awarding leaving little opportunity to showcase the “The Upcoming Filmmakers Award”, which talents of beginning videographers. To is for students “that show a lot of growth and address this, the Fall Film Festival debuted potential in being stellar filmmakers,” explained this year to provide a forum for new creators.

Arge. “Murder” was also given “The Upcoming Media Arts teacher Serena Arge commented on Filmmakers Award.” this change, saying, “I really appreciate that in The advanced students also had a hand in the fall, way more of my students are able to be deciding the other awards for the festival. “Best represented.” overall”, “Best Animation”, the “E.P.I.C. Award”, In addition to the films being made by and “Best Music Video” were among the titles beginning media arts students, a new voting deliberated and distributed by them. system was added to the mix. In the Spring Film Another notable submission, the award for Best Festival, guest judges had chosen certain films Animation was given to “Day in the Life,” which to receive awards; for the Fall Film Festival, impressed the audience with its intricate audiences had the option to vote instead. Serena Arge, Media Arts stop motion animation of the character After the viewing was over, the attendees teacher at Mills, celebrates Frieren from the anime with the same name. were able to fill out an online form to vote for her students’ work.

Continued reading on their favorite films of each genre presented. page 2 Genres included horror, comedy, and more.

News

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Mills Debuts First Ever Fall Film Festival - continued from page one -

Eduardo Galindo Copy Editor

Mills High School Publication 400 Murchison Dr. Millbrae, CA 94030 thunderbolteditors@smuhsd.org www.millsthunderbolt.com

Thunderbolt Staff Faculty Advisor anthonY Pretto

Editors-in-Chief elaIne chan ‘25 Phoebe PIserchIo ‘25

News Editor amelIa naughten ‘26

Features Editor Janelle PantIlon ‘26

Center Spread Editor abIgaIl chaI ‘25

Opinions Editor JulIa XIa ‘25

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iao Liang (11), who attended the event, said, “I have to give all the props to the guy who did the stop motion, whoever the anonymous person was, it was incredibly fluid, incredibly good.

I loved it.”

Another animation that amazed the audience was “A Caw by the Coast” by Justin Shih, which was awarded the E.P.I.C. award and best overall.

The seven minute animation was about a girl and a crow becoming friends and cleaning a beach together. According to Shih, the animation was a long and laborious process, starting last year and extending into the summer. During the production, there was a lot of brainstorming, storyboarding, and writing up dialogue, “One of my favorite things about making it was the voice acting part because I was able to get two of my voice actors the voice skit while I was trying to give them feedback live,” said Shih.

Continuing with the last steps of production Shih continued, “I had to rewatch a lot and a lot of times just to make sure there wasn’t anything…that needed

Isabelle Yang ‘25

Entertainment Editor bIanca PanDo ‘26

Copy Editor eDuarDo galInDo aguIlar ‘25

Staff Writers haYDen bunce ‘26 elIJah cabatIc ‘26 KalYssa chu ‘25 matthew Du ‘28 mIKaYla ho ‘28 tIanYou lee ‘26 anDres luIs maKIlan ‘26 sara meng ‘25 JaDa Pan ‘26 elIzabeth PanIagua ‘28 warren shIu ‘25 meagan so ‘28 maDYson tang ‘28 noah ung ‘25 emIlY wu ‘28 Good luck on finals, Vikings!

Have a great break!

Instagram: @millsthunderbolt

Spotify: @thunderboltrecords The Mills Thunderbolt

see newcomers into the entertainment industry, and see them make films that correlate with them, how they thought about it, especially the behind the scenes section...And overall, the films were just my favorite part.”

In the second semester, audiences can look forward to the Spring Film Festival, in which advanced Media Arts students like Chang will have a space to showcase their work. The Media Arts class hopes to make the two seasonal Film Festivals a Mills tradition, and looks forward to more of the Mills student body experiencing these films.

FILM: Justin Shih (12) speaks about “A Caw by the Coast.”

Behind the Mistletoe: Where is it from?

Noah Ung

Sports Editor

fixing.” True enough, a few days before the film festival there was a mistake with the audio, “Luckily I caught it though and I was able to fix it like two days before the film festival,” Shih said.

Winning the awards for the animation’s incredible storytelling and positive environmental themes, Shih said, “I'm really honored to have received these…and I feel like I'm pretty proud of getting them for, like, how much time I spent on it.”

To make the whole event possible, Media Arts teacher Serena Arge and a team of students from her Advanced Media Arts and Video Production class worked together to present the films. Working on audio Nicholas Chang (12) commented, “Before the festival, I was in charge of putting all the films into one giant project. And I was also responsible for balancing the audio so that was converting stereo audio into mono, meaning that both the left and right speakers put out the same output.”

Chang was also part of the advanced students who looked over and judged video submissions. Chang commented that this part of the process was a joyful experience, “I like to

EDUARDO GALINDO / The Mills Thunderbolt

Staff Writer

K

issing under the mistletoe is one of the holiday season’s most playful and enduring traditions.

For centuries, this seemingly random plant, with its evergreen leaves and white berries wrapped in bows, has carried the meanings of love and peace. But how did it become the staple of Christmas celebrations that it is today?

The story of mistletoe as a symbol of love begins in Norse mythology. According to Smithsonian Magazine, Loki, the god of mischief, used mistletoe in order to make a weapon that killed Balder, the son of the goddess Frigga. Afterward, Frigga and the other gods were able to resurrect Baldur. So, in celebration, Frigga declared

mistletoe sacred and said that anyone standing beneath it should share a kiss to show love and forgiveness as a testament to her revived son. The Old Farmer’s Almanac adds that this myth established mistletoe as a plant tied to peace and harmony, themes that continue in today’s Christmas celebrations.

In addition to its roots in Norse mythology, mistletoe was also highly regarded by the Ancient Druids, high rankers in the ancient Celtic race. The Grunge explains that Druids considered mistletoe magical, as it stayed green even during harsh

winters. They used it in rituals for protection during the winter solstice among other things as they believed it had the power to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits.

This high regard likely contributed heavily to the creation of the modern tradition.

T h e modern-day tradition of kissing under mistletoe became more popular in 18thcentury England.

Smithsonian Magazine highlights the use of “kissing balls,” where mistletoe was hung at festive gatherings.

Anyone who stood underneath

the plant was expected to accept a kiss. With each kiss, a berry was removed. The popularity of this tradition skyrocketed during the Victorian era, where it became a romantic holiday custom. This tradition reflected the strict social rules of the time, offering a playful excuse for flirtation during formal gatherings very similar to its purpose in today’s holidays.

The tradition of kissing under mistletoe has lost much of its original meaning but remains a charming and festive custom. Mistletoe’s journey from a sacred plant to a symbol of holiday romance reflects the way traditions evolve over time.

Whether it’s a playful peck or a simple decoration, mistletoe continues to bring a sense of connection and joy to the holiday season.

A Guide to Holiday Gems in the Bay Area Elijah Cabatic Staff Writer

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inter break is the longest break aside from summer break that students get. During this break, many students decide to travel to destinations across the US, and even beyond. But, if you are planning on staying in the Peninsula, there are still many great activities and places you can visit over the holiday season.

Obviously, there are the classics such as going ice skating at one of the number of artificial rinks that pop up around this time of year, or going to watch one of the hundred Nutcracker productions. But for this compilation, we are digging a little deeper for some Bay Area hidden gems you may have not heard of but will equally enjoy.

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The Exploratorium (Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, San Francisco, CA) is having the GLOW light art exhibition with seven pieces including visual illusions, and interactive pieces on display in addition to the Exploratorium’s normal collection of exhibits. The GLOW light exhibition will be open until January 26. There is also the San Francisco Botanical Gardens (1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA) which is giving free admission on Christmas day to view there collection of nearly 9,000.

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For New Years, there is a wide variety of options up and down the peninsula. One is watching the fireworks display over the San Francisco Bay. The fireworks will go off right at midnight and will last about 15-20 minutes. The best place to see it will be the Embarcadero Waterfront or a boat out on the bay. Chase Center’s Thrive City area (1725 3rd St, San Francisco, CA) will also be having a New Years event with a mid-day ball drop and a celebration of Kwanzaa.

Farther down the Peninsula, you may like to go to Holidays at Filoli (86 Canada Rd, Woodside, CA). Through January 16th the gardens will be covered in 3600 lights at night, including a 210 foot light tunnel. Another light show is going on in IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey (1651 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo, CA). In it, one of their buildings will be transformed into a “glowing forest of science”. It will be both an artistic, but also educational experience for all.

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News

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Warming Up: BTS of the Winter Concert Bianca Pando Entertainment Editor

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he Music Department at Mills High School prepares for their up-coming performance for Mills students, families, and the Millbrae community set to be on December 13, 2024.

As December rolls around, many students are preparing for the exciting winter break, but our music department here at Mills is working towards something else.

This, of course, would be none other than the annual Winter Concert held before the Holidays, from the Jazz band, Concert Band, Orchestra, and Choir programs.

Students are only exposed to the end result, but the process behind this concert is a long, stressful, but fulfilling one.

The day of a student in Jazz Band starts early in the morning, at 7 am, in something known as period 0. During this time, the band plays together, in order to try to fix anything that may be sounding off. This is commonly done throughout the day, some even staying after school to continue practicing.

Fanny Montes(11), the trumpet section leader for Jazz

Band describes how practice ends up taking all day. “We practice in the morning when we come. If it’s an even day, we’ll practice during flex.” She follows up by saying that they all practice whenever they get the chance to, such as brunch, lunch, and even afterschool. “It’s like an all day practice, trying to improve and apply what our director tells us,” Montes recalls.

As for Band, the days leading to the concert are usually prepared with a whole band practice, and then splitting off into instrumental groups, referred to sectionals, to hound in on their part and fix any small mistakes.

Junior tenor-saxophone player, Milo Stretton(11), provides details about what a typical sectional would look like. “We practice the part that s o u n d s off when we play together as a band, and our solos using a metronome and listening to the recording Mr. G gives us.” He believes that it is very important to take it slow and to emphasize listening to each

other to blend well.

The overall feeling that many musicians have towards the concert vary from excitement and nervousness to the pressure to perform well. Montes adds “Yes, it’s stressful, but it’s stressful because we want it to be good.”

Alto saxophone player, Karthik Joshi(10), believes that all the hard work pays off. “It’s worth it to go out there and play for your friends and during brunch or lunch, they come out and compliment you,” he expresses.

Besides the many hours of practice to ensure the piece sounds well, there is also the organization of the program.

Bianca Santos (12), the Music President, spends many hours balancing the planning of the program with also being part of the Orchestra.

“Right now we are making the set list, and we have to put all the programs together,” she comments. Santos said that right now, the music student council is focusing on picking

front-curtain acts, to make the transition behind programs smoother, ensuring that there is just enough time for them to set up, while also not taking too long.

Finally, the Mills Music Director, David Gregoric, gave his perspective on how he has been organizing this program.

By hosting band practice and providing feedback and improvements that the musicians can make, Mr. G makes sure that everything sounds great by the time of the concert. Even when putting together what songs are going to be played, he wants to make sure that everyone enjoys the concert, from conceptual pieces to old Christmas classics.

“I want everyone to come and see the hard work and dedication that the students in the Mills Music Department have. It truly brings the community together you know,” Mr. G expresses.

Even with all its challenges and hardships, everyone in the Music Program is truly excited to perform something amazing for the school. Being one of the two concerts performed during school creates a huge amount of expectation to do well in order for everyone to enjoy. And so, while watching the up-coming performance, we must also keep in mind all the hard work that led up to it as well.

Dragon Dance Team Set to Perform in SF Tianyou Lee Staff Writer

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n January and February of 2025, the Mills Dragon Dance Team will be performing at the Millbrae Lunar New Year Festival and San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade as their first out-of-school events since their pandemic hiatus.

The team practices the traditional Chinese art of the dragon dance, which involves a long puppet of a dragon held up with poles by a line of dancers. The performers run and move the dragon’s body in waves to make it look like it is chasing a pearl, another prop consisting of a rod with a large sphere on top.

The dragon dance first became a Mills extracurricular in 1995, in large part due to the advocacy of Mills’ former international relations teacher Wayne Phillips. After the team’s formation, members would go on to regularly perform and win awards at the Millbrae and San Francisco Lunar New Year events until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced

them to temporarily disband.

With the help of Phillips, advisor and Chinese teacher Kali Chong, and former alumni (including history teacher Tara Donohoe), the Dragon Dance Team resumed activities in the 2023–2024 school year, where they largely focused on in-school rallies and assemblies.

In their second year back from the pandemic, the Dragon Dance Team will return to their standard Lunar New Year city events, performing at the Millbrae Lunar New Year Festival on Jan. 26 _and the San Francisco Chinese New ___Year _Parade on Feb. _15.

The team secured their Millbrae performance from an agreement with the Millbrae Cultural Committee, their sponsor; for the San Francisco event, the coaches registered the team and officially received an invitation last month.

The San Francisco parade is especially well renowned, frequently referred to as one of the largest Lunar New Year events outside Asia. This year, it was also voted as the sixth best U.S. cultural celebration in the 2024 USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Kelly Deng (11), one of the team’s four co-captains, describes being able to perform the event as “one set goal” of the team.

“The San Francisco Lunar [New Year] parade is really important,” she says. “It’s just a great opportunity to be there, I think. And we just want to make sure our team members have fun and get to go there.”

The Dragon Dance Team will be marching down the San Francisco parade route from 2nd and Market Streets to Kearny Street & Columbus ___Ave, which

spans 1.3 miles. With multiple loops, the team is expected to run at least three miles, according to Coby Chen (11), another cocaptain.

To prepare their members’ endurance for these performances, the Dragon Dance team will start practicing in their weekly meetings when they get back from winter break. “We’re planning to start around Jan. 11 and condition our members to be able to handle these longdifficulty runnings that we’ll do in our performances,” Chen says.

“Especially the San Francisco one, because that one you’re probably running [for] like an hour.”

In their upcoming performances, the team will be using a dragon puppet constructed and sewn by students from previous years.

Members, who currently count around 50, will be split into six roles: pearl, head, neck, body, tail, and music, with the majority of dancers manipulating the body. Deng is leading with the pearl, while Chen is coordinating the head.

For the team as a whole, Deng believes a large part of what the group wishes to achieve is rooted in the cultural aspects of the dragon dance. “We’ve always had that kind of general goal of just wanting to be inclusive and promote this traditional Chinese dance and the Chinese culture that we embody.”

MILLS DRAGON DANCE TEAM: Co-captain Kelly Deng (11) leads with the Pearl at the Millbrae Mid-Autumn Festival.

COBY CHEN / Mills Dragon Dance Team

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Abby Chai Center Spread Editor

Pandoro

A popular Christmas delicacy from Italy and even a personal favorite of mine, is pandoro! My family and I first tried it several years ago and it has been enjoyed by my family every winter since then. Pandoro is a soft, sweet cake that is generously dusted with powdered sugar before enjoying. However, I prefer to have it with a lighter coat of sugar or even without it, as the cake itself is sweet enough. It’s a simple, yet delicious dessert that I’ll always hold a special place for in my heart! (8/10)

Lebkuchen

While strolling down the aisles of Trader Joe’s just this week, I stumbled upon a package of sugar glazed cookies called Lebkuchen.

Enjoyed throughout the Christmas season in Germany, it is frequently described as the German version of the beloved gingerbread cookie; however these cookies have a distinct, comforting flavor of its own.

Filled with notes of citrus, bits of nuts, and of course, ginger , it reminded me of a warm mug of spiced tea. I also really enjoyed how despite its soft texture, it maintained its form and didn’t leave an excessive amount of crumbs after each bite. The only thing I didn’t particularly like was its sugar glaze, as it left an unusual film on the bottom of the cookie. (7/10)

Panettone

Somewhat similar to pandoro, panettone is another Italian sweet bread/cake commonly eaten during the holidays. A sweet treat that my family also occasionally enjoys at Christmas, I admittedly favor its counterpart just a bit more. The flavors of panettone are much more intense than pandoro, as it has added depth from the essence of citrus and mixed in candied fruits in them; a feature which I am honestly not the biggest fan of. Regardless though, panettone is a classic treat that I can’t help but look forward to every Christmas! (7.5/10)

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Features

The Thunderbolt

On-Campus Paparazzi: Student Photographers Luis Makil!

Staff Writer

H

ere at Mills, the freelance photographers hired aren’t the only ones armed with cameras.

Sometimes, it’s our very own students who are on the opposite side of the flash, taking photos of school events and whatever else they may find interesting in the city of Millbrae.

One example of such is a photo taken by Leo Palomo (11), which depicts a beat down concrete half-wall plastered with paint from spray cans owned by vandals and street artists alike.

“I borrowed a camera to take photos on my own; to do things like public street photography or taking photos when I’m hanging out with my friends,” says Palomo. “I realized that was something I really enjoyed.”

But of course, their interest in taking photos didn’t just spark because of an epiphany of what they wanted to do overnight.

All had some sort of reason or interest in photography that encouraged them to take up the hobby themselves. One such person is Kaden Chow (11), a photographer and coder for the Mills Robotics Team, Boba Bots.

“I got into photography because of David Huang, who’s an alumni from Mills and was part of the Mills Robotics Team.”

Chow says, citing that Huang

took him under his wing because he made it clear that not only was he interested in the software side of robotics, but the media side too. “He (David) took me in and taught me how to operate on one of the cameras that he borrowed from Arge’s room.”

He explains that after the freshman year when he was under the tutelage of Huang, he joined a summer photography course in downtown SF to learn even more about the art of photography. “I used it to walk around San Francisco, to take photos.” Even though he already had some experience under his belt, he said that the course showed him how to “look at the smaller details.”

Another reason one could have gotten into photography was the introduction of it from someone else. An example is Jovian Cheung (11), who was introduced to photography by two people, Chow and David Li, an alumni from Mills. Both of them introduced Cheung to photography, and in return taught him lots of stuff in regards to photography. While they taught him the basics, they did not give him his first camera.

His sponsor came in the form of his mom’s friend, who just so happened to be a professional photographer.

Over the amount of time since he’s gotten that camera, his skill and technique has improved.

But even though all that time

LEO PALOMO / Mills High School

LIFE ON FILM: Palomo captures the detailed art on the walls with the contrasting fall season faded in the background.

has passed, Cheung still feels a bit of sentimentality regarding his beginnings in photography.

“I love the pictures. I love taking pictures, I love capturing moments.” He continued saying that, “They were my first photos, you know, so they’re probably pretty bad. But, I got better, upgraded my camera, and so my setup’s pretty nice now.”

For some, photography can be how they eke out a living, or

it can be a simple hobby that they dedicate a small amount of time to. It can also be an outlet for people’s feelings, creativity, and self-expression. This rings true for Palomo, who says that he does photography “because it’s another way I can express myself”. Palomo inherently, is a very artistic person. He likes expressing himself through a number of things; painting, building things in video games

like Minecraft, and photography.

One thing all these people have in common is that they use photography as a way to express themselves, to find creativity in everyday moments, and to capture the world around them.

It also serves as an outlet to showcase their eye for film. As Palomo simply puts it, “I do photography just to be a more creative person.”

How Leadership Gears Up for Stressbuster Week Matthew Du Staff Writer

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eadership, known as a class of collaborative students who work to create fun and enjoyable activities for the student body to participate in throughout the school year. But what happens behind the scenes and behind closed doors? How do they prepare for all of these events?

First, they begin the planning process and collaborate as a group to brainstorm what events would be most fun for the students. Typically, they try to incorporate a theme into the event or activity. For example, StressBusters Week, which took place from December 9th to December 13th was made to help students destress right before finals week with an added winter theme. Students got to wear different clothing for each day depending on which theme the day centered.

When planning activities like these, Mills Spirit Committee

Leader, Miranda Santos (12) said, “I make everyone sit down with me. I don’t let anyone do anything else and I just tell them that we all have to sit down and we all have to talk and then if we’re gonna plan something. I make sure that we all agree on it and when the week is over, like for StressBusters, we all sat down and we all agreed.”

“If you guys want anything to be changed, you tell me now before we go ask for approval. So it’s just everyone has their own opinion and if they don’t wanna do something or they think that students won’t want to do it, then we don’t do it,” Santos added.

There’s a lot of communication with making these events happen. After they communicate with the group and agree to the plan, they carry out their proposal by showing their advisor, Ms. Dove, for approval and then they bring their idea to the administration. Once Ms. Dove agrees to the proposal and admin approves it, they let stakeholders know about the upcoming event like students and teachers.

MATTHEW DU / Mills Thunderbolt

SCHOOL SPIRIT: Leadship’s viking banner hangs inside their working space.

Ms. Dove stated, “I think the biggest thing that I wish to be mindful about is communicating so really talking with the students and seeing where they’re at. Then seeing where they need support.

My role is really to help advocate for the students with the school.

I help them communicate with the administration and let people that need to know what’s going on. I help them kind of facilitate that. I think because of my position as being the adult in the room, I also help them think about things that they might not realize.”

They also have backup plans and alternatives if things don’t go planned. One example of an unexpected challenge during the planning process was that one of the spirit days for StressBusters week. Leadership had the idea of wearing winter sports gear such as hockey, but realized it’s uncommon for students to have hockey gear.

“I think it’s just trying to find, like a compromise or somewhere where we meet in the middle ground…oh, this sounds really fun, but there was also the aspect of like, we don’t know if people are gonna participate from what we’re doing, and we want everyone to be able to participate, but, like, as in like wearing hockey like things, but not everyone has something for hockey,” explained Santos.

Santos noted, “I feel like those are the times where we have issues, it’s just when we all don’t agree on some, but then we all try to just think about the school as a whole and think about what the students are gonna wanna do. It’s not just us.”

“If we do something that students don’t feel comfortable with, or didn’t appreciate, I want them to tell us, because that’s

MATTHEW DU / Mills Thunderbolt

FUN FESTIVITIES: Students gather in center court, enjoying the winter spirit.

really important.” remarked Dove.

Then, the team ends their week with reflections all together and just talk about what went well and what needs to be improved. They listen to what other students are saying and take that as feedback.

“Definitely utilizing the student voice, because ultimately

this is for the students, not for us. We wanna make sure that the students are having a good experience,” Dove concluded.

Leadership is a commendable group as they are people in charge of all our school’s exciting events and plans for staff and students to enjoy. They are the ones who work behind the scenes.

MATTHEW DU/ Mills Thunderbolt

SPREADING GOOD ENERGY: Leadership hands out cute prizes duing lunch.

Features

The Thunderbolt

5 Alumni Adventures Meag! So Staff Writer

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024 graduate and Mills Alumni Isabella Chan shared some of her experiences through high school and graduation, along with snippets of advice for current students. She dove into college applications and what it was like to leave Mills. Here’s what she said: Isabella shared, “Mills was an amazing place and I got to meet so many wonderful people such as the staff and students.”

She added, “Surprisingly, I didn’t feel as sad as I thought I would when finally graduating and was pretty ecstatic. [I later realized] there’s almost no change between high school and post graduation except for

Environmental Club Gives Back to the Community with a Winter Clothing Drive Julia Xia Opinions Editor

T

his Holiday season, it is important to not only have fun celebrating with your families but also to give back to your community. One way to give back is by donating items you no longer need to families and individuals who are in need .

Over the years, Mills High School’s classes and clubs have held donations and drives for those who need them, such as Mr. Lira’s canned food drive.

This year, the Environmental Club has joined in the effort and hosted a winter clothing drive.

Partnered with Aragon High School’s Environmental Club, the Mills Environmental Club asked for any winter clothing to be donated to unhoused people. The organization that the two clubs teamed up with is LifeMoves, an environmental organization that strives to end homelessness in America while being environmentally conscious.

The goal of this drive was

not only to provide the unhoused with some warm clothes for the harsh months ahead, but also to spread awareness on the current climate crisis. Alauki Parikh (12), president of the Environmental Club commented, “We wanted to tell people how these stops have the greatest impact on the

homeless community.” Parikh added, “We chose to partner with Aragon since they shared our passion for helping out the community.”

Recently, California has experienced strong winds and other extreme weather changes, changes that can be traced back

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB / Mills High School

WARM CLOTHES, WARM HEARTS: Environmental Club sends kind cheer.

to climate change. As the days grow colder and darker, many unhoused individuals have been forced outside into freezing temperatures. Without shelter to keep them warm, they need as many layers as possible to withstand the harsh weather.

One large donor was the clubs very own Emma Pham (12), one of the vice-presidents of the club. “My family had a lot of old jackets, panchos, and umbrellas that we either grew out of or just didn’t want anymore. I felt like it was just the right thing to do, donate the stuff I no longer needed to help out another person,” Pham recounts.

In total, both clubs were able to get around 35 donations.

All these clothes will be sent to LifeMoves to be given to anyone who needs them this season.

“We in the environmental club advocate for sustainability; we wanted to find a way to help out community in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner. The clothing drive was one way we managed to do that, and I’m excited to plan future events like this one,” Parikh concludes.

a little more freedom.”

When it came to the topic of applying to colleges, she told me, “Looking back, college applications were extremely stressful, I would never wish for it on my worst enemy.”

To the students that may be struggling or worrying about college apps or prep for them currently as she once did, some advice Isabella offered was, “Remember that once it’s over, you’ll get to do whatever you want afterwards.”

Lastly to finish off our interview, to everyone, she said, “My only advice for you all is to sleep. Good luck high schoolers!”

Frosty Festivities: Non-Christmas Holidays J!elle P!tilon Features Editor

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hile Christmas is notorious for illuminating the winter season, there are countless other holidays that are just as special to various cultures and communities. It’s their way of spreading joy, traditions, and unitement to finish off their year.

Let’s look at a few other winter holidays that deserve much love and recognition as a celebration aside from Christmas.

First up, we have Hanukkah.

It’s a Jewish holiday that originated during the second century B.C. The holiday is to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem from previous oppressors.

It’s celebrated

JOSCH13 / Canva

PEACE AND PRAYER: Ancient Buddah meditates in peace for enlightenment.

through a span of eight days during late November to early December, although it changes year to year as it falls on the 25th day of Kislev in accordance to the Hebrew calendar. Each night, families come together to light a candle on the menorah (a special candle holder) that symbolizes branches of Judaism

and knowledge. Throughout the evening, they sing and prepare food. Children are sometimes given gifts or money as well.

Kwanzaa is an AfricanAmerican and Pan-African holiday that began in 1966.

Kwanzaa stems from no specific religion as the purpose of establishing it was to

reaffirm African culture among communities. It’s a time for families and friends to gather while immersing themselves in African customs, honoring ancestors, and remembering social principles. It begins on December 26th and ends on January 1st. During those seven days, people light a candle each night to represent seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. They recite songs, poems, and speeches of great African-American thinkers while exchanging presents or playing traditional drums. Later, everyone shares a meal with traditional African dishes.

Bodhi Day is a Buddist holiday that celebrates the enlightenment of the historical

EVGENIT / Canva

HANUKKAH: Candles lit each night.

Buddha. It began about 2,600 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama meditated under a Peepal tree (a type of fig tree) for 49 continuous days until...

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Center Spread Escaping the stress of upcoming !nals, I !nd myself

scrolling mindlessly on Instagram. And, as the holiday season is upon us, nearly half of my feed is made up of Christmas reels and posts offering a unique way to decorate for Christmas day or just reminding me of the nostalgia I have for the season. I’m guilty of sending these reels to my friends, especially the food hacks, and saying “we have to do this” knowing full well that we won’t have time to do any of it. Regardless, a few treats have topped my list of things that will unfortunately never see the light of day in my kitchen, but are de!nitely the cream of the crop for non-cookie recipes you can try out this winter.

Christmas Snow Globe Drinks I’m always looking for a way to improve

my decor during the holiday season, and this drink, although not innovative in taste, ful!lls the visual quota. When completely assembled, the drink resembles a snow globe and can serve as a fun table piece for Christmas parties on top of being refreshing.

1) Using freezer-safe glasses, add a small handful of frozen cranberries to each glass.

2) !en, trim the bottom of a rosemary sprig evenly and place it in the middle of the glass.

3) Add water to the glass; alternatively, you can add water first and then place the rosemary to keep it upright.

4) Freeze the glasses in the freezer for 45 minutes or until the water is frozen.

5) Remove from the freezer and serve immediately with your favorite sparkling water/clear soda.

Curate d by Staff Writer, Mikayla Ho

The Thunderbolt

Guacamole Christmas Trees

I’ve added in a more savory recipe to include as an appetizer for a Christmas

dinner, or simply as a snack over break. This treat combines homemade chips with homemade guacamole, all being in the classic shape of a Christmas tree.

Although it will de!nitely take more work and time than simply buying guac and chips from the grocery, this activity could help you pass time over break 1) Preheat the oven to 375°. On an ungreased baking sheet, unroll one tube of crescent dough and press into a 13x8-in. rectangle. Prick with a fork; sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon taco seasoning. Repeat with remaining dough and seasoning.

2) Bake until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

3) Cut each rectangle crosswise to make 4 strips (about 8x4-in.). For trees, cut each strip into 5 triangles, reserving scraps at each end for another use. For trunks, insert a pretzel piece into the base of each triangle.

4) Beat cream cheese and guacamole until smooth; spread over trees.

Halve and seed peppers. Cut 40 stars from yellow peppers using a 3/4-in. star-shaped cookie cutter. Dice and julienne remaining peppers for tree decorations. Decorate trees with pepper pieces and, if desired, cilantro.

Refrigerate until serving.

Festive Flavors The Thunderbolt’s Christmas Recipe Guide

By News E!tor, Amelia Naughten

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Center Spread

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By Staff Writer, Kalyssa Chu

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Fun and Easy Gift Ideas for This Holiday Season!

hether it’s for an acquaintance in a Secret Santa exchange, White Elephant, or even a close friend, many of us will face the inevitable dilemma of not knowing what to give others during this holiday season. If you’re in this situation, look no further. The Thunderbolt has a couple of unique gift ideas within your budget that nearly anyone on the receiving end can enjoy!

Weighted Stuffed Animal

Here’s a gift of everyday essentials that anyone can use throughout the year.

This set of lip balm, lotion, and more will help keep your recipient’s skin fresh during the blistering winter season!

Stuffed animals are a popular gift choice during the holiday season, so why not put a twist on it? Weighted stuffed animals provide an even more comfortable and adorable present and are great for all animal-lovers out

Fun Keychains

A small and affordable gift for all ages! A fun keychain is a gift that anyone can show off on their car keys, backpack, and more. It’s especially great for students and teachers. Bonus points if you know the person well and can handpick a keychain based on their liking, hobbies, or interests!

Mini Zen Garden

Mini Handheld Vacuum

Burt’s Bees Everyday Essentials Gift Set

A small handheld vacuum is a practical gift that many may not think to buy for themselves. Useful for cleaning up small messes, eraser shavings, crumbs, and more—and for an appropriate price.

A mini zen garden is the perfect desk accessory. You can opt in for the classic zen garden look or take a peek at the more creative options available.

Classic Christmas Tales What Made These Beloved Characters So Memorable?

By Staff Writer, Emily Wu

As the holiday season rolls around, figures like Frosty

the Snowman, Rudolph, and the Grinch pop up at every corner– inside homes, on streets, and in stores. !ese beloved characters have become a statement to the holiday with their timeless stories creating traditions between families. But what made these famous faces such an essential part of Christmas?

Frosty the Snowman originated as a song in 1950, written by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson, and sung by Gene Autry. !e song quickly became a hit as artists began creating covers and was later adapted into a Christmas TV special in 1969. !e on-screen special tells the story of a snowman who is brought to life by a magic top hat, going on adventures before melting away when spring arrives.

Frosty’s popularity can be credited to his joy and playfulness, bringing up the magic of childhood winters and the thrill of playing in the snow. !e character has grown to be a staple in Christmas, providing times of warmth and happiness during the cold season.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is one of the most iconic Christmas characters, famous for his bright glowing nose, which was once mocked by the other reindeer, but guides Santa Claus through the foggy sky on Christmas Eve night.

Created as a book in 1939 by Robert L.

May, a department store wanted a quick story that would help sell toys which turned out to be a success. Also sung by Gene Autry, Rudolph, !e Red-Nosed Reindeer, was turned into a song in 1949. Due to the growing popularity, a stop-motion animated TV special was subsequently produced in 1964, becoming one of the most watched Christmas specials.

Rudolph became a big hit among families from the catchy rhymes in songs, his distinct glowing red nose, and the overall acceptance he gets from the other reindeer.

Christmas figures are known to be kind and bring warmth, but although this character turned out good at the end, he was originally evil. !e Grinch was created by Dr. Suess in his story How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, published in 1957. !e Grinch has been adapted into various TV shows, movies, and even a musical. As a character that is known to hate Christmas, the Grinch steals all of Whoville’s presents and decorations by dressing himself as Santa Claus. Despite his efforts of ruining Christmas for the town, the Whos’ joy and pride has the Grinch realize that the holiday is more than just overconsumption. !e Grinch’s has had an impact on people’s childhood by showing them the importance of Christmas and its true meaning. !rough his change from a season-hating grouchy to someone who enjoys the holiday spirit, the story embraces kindness, forgiveness and the value of community and family. !ese cherished characters have made Christmas significant, creating holiday traditions and nostalgia between families. !ey bring generations together with their classic stories and festive themes, making the festive season even more memorable.

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The Thunderbolt

The Decades-Old Debate: Real Vs. Fake Trees Jada P! Staff Writer

O

n the morning of the 25th, the fresh yet warm scent of fir will be the first greeting to let you know it’s Christmas. But imagine when you wake up and smell…nothing. You walk into the living room and see the tree decorated with ornaments and lights. It’s not a real tree.

It’s synthetic and made of plastic. Where’s the holiday feeling that exists in a real tree, absent in an imitation?

Amidst the growing trend of fake trees for convenience, a real tree remains the symbol of the Christmas spirit by providing a sensory experience, upholding family traditions, supporting local farms as well as being more sustainable, making it the better choice.

Sounds, sights, and scents create the holiday experience.

Many of us associate Christmas with old classics playing in the background as the fragrant atmosphere let off by the tree fills the living room.

During the holiday season, its warmth and scent feel like home, a place of comfort and rest. Student Jessica Lee (11) shared a heartwarming story on the nostalgic scent that holds so many sentimental feelings.

“One time, I came home, back from a long day of school, and then I went through the garage. I looked up at the stairs, and I saw a trail of the Christmas tree pine leaves. Then, when I went upstairs, I smelled the Christmas tree and it smelled so good. I feel like that played a big part in my Christmas childhood because whenever I smell it, it’s like the smell of my family coming back together.”

For many, choosing a Christmas tree with family is an annual tradition and an unforgettable experience.

Parents bundle up their children in winter coats and drive to a tree lot or farm, and the entire family is excited to pick a perfect tree for their home. Visiting a local tree lot is a precious experience of the holidays that is tied to key childhood memories. Mr. Wang, a biology teacher at Mills,

has a family tradition of choosing a tree.

“Usually, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we try to go and get a tree together. I think, as in every family, some traditions matter more to some people than others. So it’s really important to my wife. It’s a big tradition in her family, and now she’s passed it on to my kids.”

Of course, buying a real Christmas tree means supporting local farms that are small businesses. Many Christmas tree farms are familyrun, as seen in local areas such as Half-Moon Bay. Choosing a Christmas tree is an experience shared not only by family but also as a community.

On the other hand, many argue that choosing a real Christmas tree is environmentally harmful as millions of trees are cut down each year.

They opt for fake plastic trees, which can be reused for many years and require little to no maintenance.

However, there

is no significant environmental impact of real Christmas trees.

“Unless you’re going out to a national forest and, like, cutting down a natural tree,” said Mr. Wang. “Most of the ones we buy, they’re all farmed. So there’s not really an ecological impact in the sense that it’s just farmland in Half Moon Bay, and they plant there…They do get composted at the end, and the nutrients just go right back.”

While keeping a fake tree for many years may appear more sustainable on the surface, fake trees eventually end up in a landfill and never fully biodegrade, even after centuries underground.

Fake Christmas trees may appeal to people as a more convenient alternative, but nothing can replace the experience of a real tree as it brings nostalgic scents and family traditions. If your family has never chosen a real Christmas tree before, consider making this the first year and take a trip to a local tree farm. The winter scent and beautiful sight of the tree await you on Christmas day.

Splurge or Save: Are Popular Dupes Worth it?

Madyson T!g Staff Writer

The price of originally branded

items can come with a hefty price tag that not everyone can afford. That’s where the dupes come in. The lowered price of the dupes allows everyone to have a test of popular trending items.

Uggs have been a hit this fall and winter season. They are a cute touch to an outfit and perfect for wearing to school or at home. The price, though, is what leads people to Ugg dupes.

The dupes allow for a similar look to the original branded item yet for a cheaper price.

Dupes are a perfect way to have Uggs without the price tag.

E.L.F (Eyes Lips Face) Cosmetics is a beauty brand that dupes many of our favorite beauty products. The Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil is a product Elf has successfully duped the original item, creating the Elf Glow Reviver Lip Oil. This lip oil is a successful makeup product because it has a lightweight and non-sticky formula. Another product that has successfully been duped is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. The foundation comes with a price tag of $50.00, while the Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter is only $14.

The dupe being only $14 for a

similar formula to the Flawless filter is what makes the dupe as popular as the original thing.

Lululemon is a popular brand that’s been popular for many years, causing tons of dupes of the product to be created. These dupes range in price from the Lululemon Scuba to their leggings and everywhere belt bags. Having trending items increases the amount of dupes created for a product.

Another example of dupes that’s been getting really popular is perfume dupes. The trend of perfumes becoming trending arises from many popular perfumes that have the same scent. The only thing

truly different is the price of the perfumes. Like Sol de Janeiro, Jo Malone, and Chanel are some brands that have had popular dupes. Having perfumes that smell like the original item at a lower price attracts customers to the dupes.

A student at Mills who wanted to stay anonymous gave their opinion on dupes, saying, “Dupes are a fun way of getting the item that you want at a low price! They can be very beneficial to people who can’t afford the product yet get the same cute and stylish look.”

Copycat items can save a lot of money for those who can’t afford the real branded thing. However,

they can cause overconsumption of products, putting a cost on the environment and the people who make the products we use.

Having copycat items of products we love also causes the original company to lose profits having the same look or feeling as different brands on the market.

Popular trending items are what give dupes their hype.

Having a cheaper option for items everyone wants gives everyone the opportunity to try out a product. Dupes can be amazing to those who can’t afford them, giving the same quality as the branded items with a cheaper price tag.

DUPES VS. THE REAL PRODUCT: Comparing popular, expensive products with their cheaper dupes. Ugg boots, Dior lip oil, Woodsage and Sea Salt perfume, and the Charlotte Tilbury flawless filter.

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9

Why Do Students Cheat In School?

Mo

Staff Writer

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Sa" Meng

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When was the last time you

heard about a student cheating on an assignment or a test?

Odds are, it wasn’t too long ago.

Academic dishonesty has become an increasingly prevalent issue in schools.

According to a survey conducted

by Dr. Donald McCabe, one of the founders of ICAI, nearly 60% of students admitted to cheating in some form. Outside of the obvious dishonesty involved, these numbers show us some of the academic pressures students face today. But what drives this behavior? And how do students themselves view the ethics of cheating?

Cheating isn’t just a product of laziness or bad morals; the psychology behind it reveals a much more complicated picture.

Many students cheat due to fear of failure, high academic expectations, or the belief that they won’t get caught. When the stakes are high, whether it’s passing a final exam or maintaining a perfect GPA, students may begin to rationalize their behavior, viewing cheating as a survival tactic rather than a direct failure. On the other hand, high impulsivity and poor cognitive skills can also lead to cheating attempts.

To better understand this issue, I conducted an anonymous survey among Mills High School students, shedding a bit more light on their

Hayden Bunce Staff Writer

Have you noticed that

SARA MENG / The Mills Thunderbolt

STUDENT CAUGHT CHEATING: Mills student caught cheating during class test. Will she suffer the consequences?

experiences and perspectives.

The results revealed to be both expected and surprising.

When asked, “Do you think there is ever a situation where cheating should be considered acceptable?” 60% of respondents said no, while 40% said yes. Those who said yes often referred to “extreme cases” where the consequences of failing outweighed the morals of cheating. Some explained, “If you had a desperate situation where you had no way to study, and you need to pass the test to not fail,” cheating might feel justified. The majority agreed that copying a friend’s answers or looking at someone else’s test paper was cheating. However, it was more divided on whether

sharing test details with friends or using AI tools like ChatGPT was considered cheating. Some argued, “AI is okay if used creatively and doesn’t do all the work,” while others felt it crossed an ethical line. Perhaps the most striking result was that 70% of respondents admitted to having cheated at some point.

Despite this, most said they would not cheat again if given a choice, showing a sense of regret.

Cheating is clearly an issue that can’t be ignored.

Schools should find a way to sufficiently address this.

Many students believe that the environment plays a significant role in their decision to cheat.

A high-pressure environment, combined with an emphasis on

grades over learning, can push even the most honest students toward dishonesty.

Overly strict measures such as harsh punishments or rigid surveillance can create an environment of fear. This would, Instead of promoting honesty, lead students to find more creative ways to cheat, deepening the problem rather than solving it.

One solution I believe we should look into would be promoting learning over competition.

Ultimately, the goal isn’t just to stop cheating but to create an environment where educators and students value growth, curiosity, and honesty over a grade on a paper.

Has Christmas Lost Its Holiday Magic?

Meag! So Staff Writer

The once magical Christmas

spirit we had growing up eventually fades away, with stories of flying reindeer and mischievous elves becoming a thing of the past, a faded memory, and the idea of Santa Claus is given up on as he is deemed non-existent and a myth.

When did this happen? Looking back to when we were little children in elementary school, naive and believing in magic, can hit some with a wave of sadness and nostalgia. Yet, it seems like it was just yesterday we were hurrying to bed and waking up the next morning with stockings full and cookies set out the

night before reduced to crumbs.

So, when did it all change, and when did the magic die?

In my opinion, many things contribute to losing belief and faith in magic, but I think a big piece is growing up. One of the main factors is maturity. As kids, we were naive and gullible, and we believed in a lot of things that we now know are not possible.

There was an innocence that we carried, which made us fascinated by the decorative lights, colors, and presents on Christmas that were “magical”. However, when we grew up, we were exposed to things and started to look at the world more logically.

To others, the news was broken to them by peers, parents, siblings, and more, aka exposure to new information.

Many, including my younger self, can remember the moment clearly as it changed the way a lot of things were viewed. Sadly, it was bound to happen at some point. A thing that prompted the end of Christmas magic for me personally was asking curious questions. A big part of growing up is questioning things, which is something I did a lot. After asking too far based on a hunch and lack of belief among my friends, I eventually discovered the truth. It was heartbreaking, of course, but the facts were always there; it just never surfaced, and I never believed it until I had confirmation. Maya Dolmage-Heath (9) shared some of her experiences similar to this, saying, “I think I was around 6th grade when I finally accepted

Santa wasn’t real, but it was also because it was then my parents admitted they were the ones who got me the presents. ‘Santa’ wasn’t really brought up anymore.”

However, the ending of this Christmas “magic” doesn’t have to be a devastating thing, and the festivities definitely don’t need to end. In my opinion, it can also be seen as another opportunity.

People with younger siblings, cousins, and more, the Christmas “magic” can now be passed on for them to experience the amazing Christmas days you once did during childhood. Now, there can be a new type of magic on Christmas, the magic of love and care when spending time with family and friends, because the magic of Christmas isn’t in Santa, reindeer, elves, and magic gifts; it’s in your hearts.

the older you get, the sadder the songs you listen to as a child get?

As we get older, we start to experience a complex combination of emotions.

Music is a very common way that we can express our emotions and it’s also rather accessible.

This trend of expressing complex emotions in music also applies to Christmas songs. With artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Laufey, Beabadoobe, and so much more tearing at our heartstrings. With these classified “indie sad girls” we are starting to see their

COVER: The official vinyl of Phoebe Bridgers’ cover of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”.

However, all of these songs are covers bringing a different voice to an already sad song such as the cover of “So Much Wine” by Phoebe Bridgers or a cover of “Frosty the Snowman”

by Fiona Apple. With singers such as these, it almost makes Christmas music more accessible as an average teen might not listen to Michale Buble. However, classics like Last Christmas are still hits but compared to people like our parents we truly aren’t listening to Carol of the Bells. So this season, drink your hot chocolate, then be sad when you realize that Paul Mescal has backing vocals on Phoebe Bridgers’ cover of “So Much Wine.” Happy Holidays!

POSTER: The official poster of Sabrina Carpenter’s Netflix special, “A Nonsense Christmas.”

MEAGAN SO / The Mills Thunderbolt

CHRISTMAS NOSTALGIA: A film roll of photos that represent the classic childhood Christmas; A well decorated tree, sledding, and cookie decorating.

Sports

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The Thunderbolt

Meet the Team Captains of the MHS Winter Sports Isabelle Yang Sports Editor

T

ryouts are complete, rosters are finalized, and games have begun for winter sports. With the fall sports season officially over, the basketball, soccer, and wrestling teams are ready to

compete – with their captains leading the way. In the gym and on the field, teams are practicing to prepare for success as league games commence. Everyone has varying expectations and goals for the upcoming season, all at different levels of competition.

As captain of the girls basketball team and point guard, Riley Dela Fuente (12), hopes to

lead her team to CCS one last time and exceed their previous accomplishments in NorCals.

She’s been playing competitive basketball since fourth grade, and her favorite memory from playing at Mills was winning league and CCS these past couple of years. “I’m excited this season for the quads and especially this being my senior year I hold this

Alexis Franco/ Mills High School

WRESTLING: Alexis Franco (12) poses after winning a match.

and center midfielder, Reece Roach (12), has played soccer since she was four years old and is entering her third year as a captain. Winning their league and qualifying for CCS was one of her favorite memories, and she hopes to achieve that again and go undefeated this year.

Roach is confident their team

season with a lot more heart…”

Dela Fuente shares.

Tyler Ngo (12), captain and point guard for the boys basketball team, strives to make the most out of his senior season and play hard every game.

He’s been playing basketball competitively for seven years, and aims to complete senior year by qualifying for CCS.

Reece Roach / Mills High School

SOCCER: Reece Roach (12) smiles for the camera on media day.

dynamics are strong, with the addition of freshmen and a new coach, resulting in high levels of execution. “The emphasis on build-up play, connecting passes, and combinations has made our style exciting to watch and be a part of,” Roach adds.

Joshua Huei (11), captain of the boys soccer team and

winger, has been playing competitively for ten years. His fondest memory was getting the opportunity to play with the class of 2024 seniors when he was a sophomore on the team.

However, the roles have been reversed this season, and he hopes to develop chemistry with his underclassmen teammates to

Tyler Ngo / Mills High School

BOYS BASKETBALL: Tyler Ngo (12) on the court preparing to compete at a home game.

Reflecting on his four years at Mills, his favorite memory was scoring 30 points in their last rivalry game against Capuchino his sophomore year. “I’m most excited about playing one last season with the young guys and also the seniors in my class that are on the team with me,” Ngo says.

The girls soccer team captain

Kimberly Yu / Instagram

BASKETBALL: Riley Dela Fuente (12) shoots a three pointer.

unite the team. “I’m excited to play with the new team and have a successful season,” says Huei.

Alexis Franco (12), is the 175lb wrestler for the Mills wrestling team. He has been in the sport for four years, having an undefeated personal record in dual meets.

In his upcoming senior season, Franco’s main goal is to place in

league. “I’m excited to step back on the mat and dust off my skills one last time before I graduate,” Franco expresses.

Overall, the captains are hoping for the best this 20242025 season. For many, it’s their last high school season, which makes it even more special.

Joshua Huei / Mills High School

BOYS SOCCER: Joshua Huei (11) sprints to move the ball past multiple defenders in a game.

Introducing Johnnie Walton Hayden Bunce Staff Writer

W

ith our various sports teams at Mills High School, an athletic trainer on sight is necessary to prevent injuries of Mills players.

Since the school is constantly hiring new staff members, this year the trainer position is now given to newcomer Johnnie Walton. While those who are in sports probably know what an athletic trainer is, those who don’t understand sports might not.

Anyone may think that being an athletic trainer has to do with something along the lines of helping athletes weight

lift or even train for their sport.

However, that is not the case. “The profession of athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, or chronic sports injuries. In short, I provide sports medicine services to the student-athletes here at Mills,” Walton states. “When someone gets hurt while practicing or competing in a game, I help triage the injury and assist with the rehabilitation process to get the athlete back healthy. I also provide prophylactic taping and wrapping that aids in the prevention of injury.” Student’s physical health is very important so they can continue to play the

sport they love without getting any game-threatening injuries.

When parents take their children to school their hope is that their child’s safety is accounted for and that feeling could be heightened with parents of sports players.

When the administration considers hiring for schools, it ensures that the candidates are the best of the best, and it seems they hit it out of the park with this hire. A person’s experience in a job can determine possibly their skill in the job field. As seen here, Walton states, “I have been practicing as an athletic trainer...

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Johnnie Walton / Mills High School

PORTRAIT: Johnnie Walton is officially part of MHS staff.

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Sports

The Thunderbolt

Cross Country Competes at CIF State Kalyssa Chu Staff Writer

S

Janelle Pantilon / The Mills Thunderbolt

TEAM PICTURE: The varsity cross country members gather with their coaches for a team picture at the end of the 2024 CIF State Championship Meet.

Elizabeth Panigua Staff Writer

A

s fall sports come to an end, Mills is proud of our cross country runners for making it to CIF state (California Interscholastic Federation).

To see what some cross country runners had to say about this, there were a couple questions that were asked such as how it felt making it to state and what strategies they used during their meets as well as what their best memory is from being on the cross country team.

Chloe Amayun (11) gets

through her meets by thinking about the fact that she has run before so she knows that she can do it again. Her favorite memory from the team this year is her teammates and friends cheering for her and being supportive throughout her whole experience. She enjoys hanging out and having fun with her upperclassmen friends as well.

Amayun feels accomplished knowing she made it to state after her hard work and training for five months. It felt rewarding and a good way to end her cross country season.

Alexa Dunn (10) always has a positive mindset during her meets and tells herself she can

do it even if she feels tired and drained. Some of her favorite memories from this year’s cross country team is when their whole team went to the park and played hide and seek and one of their teammates hid in a dumpster.

Dunn feels really good about making it to state because she’s proud of everyone for putting their best work forward and all of their practices paid off for that moment.

Lastly, one of our cross country team captains, Ethan Cabrera (11), one strategy he uses during the race is choosing one of the fastest runners on his team to try and pace off of.

Cabrera’s favorite memory from

his experience on the team would be after one of their training sessions, when the whole team went to Coach Larry’s house and jumped into his pool. Making it to state also felt rewarding for Cabrera, knowing all the hard work throughout the season has earned both teams a spot at the state meet. It has been many decades since both of the teams have made it to state.

Ultimately, it’s been a great season this year for the cross country team with both teams making it to state and their hard work paying off. We are beyond proud of their accomplishments.

Go Vikings!

witching between sports isn’t an easy feat, but multisport athlete Amaya Moore (11) has proven it possible. After two years of playing varsity soccer, Moore stepped out of her comfort zone by instead joining the varsity basketball team as a junior during this winter season.

Changing sports as an upperclassman was] hard, since I joined late compared to my teammates and had to learn extra things,” said Moore.

To combat her delayed introduction to basketball, Moore works hard by paying extra attention in practice— and it’s paid off. As the basketball season is in fullswing, Moore has had a great time, and she has zero regrets about making the switch.

“Basketball is fun. I like it better than soccer,” noted Moore.

For any student athletes contemplating switching between sports, Moore advises to simply go for it: “Do it earlier, faster, so you’re more used to the sport.” However, even if you make the change late, Moore demonstrates that it’s still possible to succeed.

“If you’re new to any sport, just pay close attention to your teammates who’ve been playing for a long time, and you’ll be alright,” said Moore.

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The Thunderbolt

Abigail Chai, Center Spread Editor

Warren Shiu Staff Writer

F

or Mills Senior Mark Chan, being a content creator isn’t just a hobby --it’s a way to express himself, connect with others, and unwind. What started as a fun experiment has quickly grown into something that reflects his passion for storytelling and his persistence in chasing his creative goals.

Chan started making videos in 5th grade, driven by curiosity and the dream of becoming a YouTube star.

Over the years, he’s explored different types of content, from gaming to music, drawing inspiration from both movies and his own life.

Now, as a senior, he continues creating videos, viewing his channel as both a creative outlet and a way to reflect on his growth.

“YouTubers, they get famous. But eventually I started to like doing it more and more. So I just started doing it just as a hobby.”

While the idea of fame initially drove him, Chan’s commitment to video creation has evolved into something much more personal. He uses it as a way to unwind, even when his schedule gets busy.

“It’s kind of like an extracurricular, but with less order to it because I control my own schedule.

It is a lot of time, like that I need to put into it, but it’s also a good de-stressor, like when I edit my video it’s calming to me.”

Although hard to perfectly balance all the activities Chan must stay committed to, he not only makes the time to work on his passion, but also in order to soothe

himself overall. That sense of calm has led to Chan making more music videos, letting himself work on his ability to integrate the lyrics of songs he loves with his cinematography skills.

“When I like to make my music videos, I like to try to portray emotion or make the viewer feel a plethora of emotion. I know it’s not really the deepest motivation, but I just want to be able to influence the viewer in a way.”

Chan does not aim for overly deep messages - he simply wants to invoke some sort of emotion in others while watching his work.

This focus on emotion is inspired by Mark’s love of movies, especially ones with stunning visuals and meaningful stories.

“I find inspiration in a lot of movies, and some of them are like Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Oppenheimer. And I just really enjoy those movies’ cinematography and the stories in those movies and how it made me feel. And I just want to try to replicate that.”

These films have left a lasting impact on Chan with its various animation styles/ aesthetics and stories. Even though movies inspire his work, Mark knows that YouTube success is unpredictable. He’s learned that what people love most can sometimes come from the most random moments.

Still, he acknowledges that finding success on YouTube can be unpredictable.

“I think there is a big difference between ‘greatest success’ and

‘most proud of’ because I think, again, it’s very, very difficult to blow up, and when you do it’s usually the most random stuff.”

After years of streaming and continuing his journey as a content creator, Chan has realized that breaking into the YouTube algorithm takes hundreds of videos, and going viral is almost sometimes entirely spontaneous. Despite the challenges, he remains persistent, understanding that growth takes time and dedication. His passion for creating content keeps him motivated to keep going.

“Persistence. I feel like you’re never gonna get anywhere if you don’t keep on going.

Sometimes it’s hard to keep on streaming, because when you don’t see a lot of growth, it’s kind of tough.

But then again, I think if you want to stream, you want to have a passion for it too.”

Looking back at his work, Mark says his biggest sense of pride comes from seeinghow far he’s come. His videos aren’t just content— they’re pieces of his journey, capturing how much he’s grown and changed over time.

“I’m pretty proud of how I kept on creating videos. While I am making videos about video games and random stuff, I think at the same time I’m documenting my journey in life, and just going back to seeing my old videos is just to me how much I’ve changed, and how much stuff has happened over the years.”

If you want to continue following more of Chan’s story, follow @nprmalcs on Instagram or Tiktok, and subscribe to “NormalCS” on YouTube or Twitch!

Somewhere in my Memory - John Williams

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas - Meredith Wilson

Santa, Can’t You Hear me - Ariana Grande & Kelly Clarkson

Mistletoe - Justin Bieber

santa doesn’t know you like i do - Sabrina Carpenter