Volume 64, Issue 4, December 19, 2023 by The Thunderbolt

Volume 64 Issue 4 || December 2023||

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Mills Administration Seeks to Redesign Flex Period

Polls

12/12/23

An anonymous poll was conducted among Mills students by The Thunderbolt surveying their thoughts on Flex.

Amelia Naughten / The Thunderbolt

STUDENT SIGNS INTO FLEX: At the beginning of flex, students log into the flex system using a scanner to read student IDs.

ills’ administration is discussing the possibility of a newer, more effective Flex model as lack of attendance and sign-ins increase. Everyone at Mills is familiar with the Flex program, a period each Wednesday and Friday where students sign into a class of their choice and spend their time on any academic matter. Despite the positive light that has been shone on it over the years, recent drawbacks have been witnessed by staff. Prior to the program in the 2015-2016 school year, the Student Intervention Team, a committee organized by Ms. Mack, a counselor here at Mills, sought ways to help any student struggling due to academics. They attempted after school tutoring, however it wasn’t frequently utilized due to students’ responsibilities outside of school. The committee acknowledged the fact that students had outside obligations and decided that a free study period built into the school day would be most accommodating. That’s when they discovered the Flex model from fellow San Mateo District High School, Aragon. The proposal was pitched to faculty and students for insight, and in 2016, Flex was piloted. “The idea of Flex was for students to have the choice for a space to decompress, work, or even talk to friends,” shared Mr. Headly, Flex committee

member and math teacher at Mills. Ms. Mack explained, “Students enjoyed the spare time and teachers were able to help students with one-on-one support without it spilling into their break times or after school.” Fast forward seven years later, and Flex has continued with students each year using it for both their classes and time with friends. But this year, concerns have risen; the number of students signing in and remaining in class the entire period has been rapidly declining. On December 1st, it was noted by the committee that the largest number of students ever did not log into the Flex system: 552 students out of 1,087. Unlike traditional classes where a teacher takes the role of each person present, Flex only allows admin to know where each student is if they enter their student ID in the network. It doesn’t record tardies and absences or send that information home. Essentially, no accountability is held for these individuals which fuels the dilemma as they know no consequence will be faced. This raises an issue to teachers and faculty. A majority of students are known to remain on campus, but it’s a matter of where. By law, it’s the school’s job to ensure its scholars are on Mills grounds. “If not, it puts the school in a bind of not keeping students accountable,” added Ms. Mack. It’s a toss up about what to do because it’s been expressed that good things do come out of Flex

with it allowing students flexibility and freedom to how they spend their period. Bianca Pando (10) praised Flex: “As someone who does outside sports, I’m not given much time to complete my work but I don’t stress too much because I know I have Flex to use.” Sophomore Grace Flores (10) added, “I enjoy Flex and think it’s a good free chance to catch up or finish work.” Nonetheless it purely works if the greater number take advantage of the time reasonably. If attendance continues to worsen, the future of Flex could look especially different. “We don’t want to take Flex away from students who use it well. At the same time we want to make sure others are further using that opportunity,” expressed Mr. Headley. There’s thought of reshaping it into an advisory class, similar to freshman advisory, where a smaller group of students each have a teacher whom they check in with during that span of time. Advisory takes attendance of all people and consistently keeps track. Contrary, mentioned flaws were students potentially feeling “forced” to be present and the additional workload on the teachers’ end to teach another set of curriculum. Numerous teachers use Flex to grade, create new lessons, and even decompress, and advisory takes away that spare time.

Features

Center Spread

Opinions

Sports

Entertainment

Read more about the Mills Winter Concert in this review!

Taste testing Trader Joe’s holiday specials.

Are peoples’ obsessions with buying gifts harming the environment?

What is performing for the Nutcracker like?

Thunderbolt Wrapped:See what music trends are popular at Mills!

Janelle Pantilon Staff Writer

Data

Rachel Mack

Continue reading on www.millsthunderbolt.com

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Millbrae’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Event Bianca Pando Staff Writer Mills High School Publication 400 Murchison Dr. Millbrae, CA 94030 thunderbolteditors@smuhsd.org www.millsthunderbolt.com

Thunderbolt Staff Faculty Advisor Kelly Hensley

Editors-in-Chief Michaela Gonzalez ‘24 Phoebe Piserchio ‘25

News Editor Amelia Naughten ‘26

Features Editor Julia Xia ‘25

Center Spread Editor Elaine Chan ‘25

Opinions Editor Noor Abdullah ‘24

Sports Editor

s winter approaches the town of Millbrae, the community gets ready to welcome the Christmas season. With the annual tree lighting event, on the first week of the month, December 2, 2023, all of Millbrae comes together to celebrate. The Tree lighting Ceremony is one of the most anticipated events during the winter season, where a tall tree in front of the City Hall is lit up, following the visit of Santa and other performances. Over the years, the event itself changed its performances, yet still kept the holiday spirit alive. During the first recorded Millbrae Tree lighting of 2015, Mills High School students Elaina Wang and Jennifer Zang, who were leaders of the Millbrae Leos, started the program by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Speeches from the Mayor, the Millbrae Community Foundation, and the Firehouse department followed. After the words from the companies, the Happy Hall Choir sang Christmas songs and introduced Santa. To conclude the performances, Santa went up to say hello to the Mayor, and they all got ready to finally turn on the lights on the Christmas tree. Similar to the event in 2015, during this year’s tree lighting event, another child’s choir came to sing, alongside two seniors from Mills High School. Twins Justin and Jeremy Garcia (12) were invited to sing Christmas songs during the Tree Lighting of 2023. Both take part in the St. Dunstan youth choir and have actively

Amelia Naughten / The Thunderbolt

MILLBRAE CHRISTMAS TREE: The Christmas tree is lit up in vivid colors.

Amelia Naughten / The Thunderbolt

MILLBRAE CITY HALL: Kids playing in the fake soap-snow at the event.

sang for the event since their middle school years. “Every year, for the tree lighting, Saint Dunstan is invited to sing Christmas songs with the cub scouts,” explained Jeremy Garcia. A few differences from this year’s event could be compared to 2015 and from last year as well. The Garcia twins pointed out that last year’s event included an Acapella group during their program, followed by Santa coming on his sled. However, this year there was no Acapella performance, not to mention the changed arrival of Santa, coming in with his new Christmas car. Through the event, the Millbrae Leos helped a lot, volunteering by handing out free hot chocolate to those around. Many of the young kids who attended ran about happily throw the fluffed soap on the floor (a substitute for fake snow). There was also a toy drive to help spread the spirit of giving. This celebration also made sure to include other religions as well, having a light-up Hanukkah candelabrum present. Although this event only comes around once a year, this comes as a significant opportunity for all of Millbrae to get together and spend time as a community. Not only that, but it also becomes something young kids living in Millbrae can look forward to. “It brings families together, where we can just celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season,” reflected Justin Garcia. “Now being a soon-to-be adult, it is fun to see all the kids’ faces light up, because I was that kid,” added Jeremy. This tradition of lighting up the tree, will play a huge part in the togetherness of the Millbrae community for many years to come.

Joshua Choe ‘24

Entertainment Editor Abigail Chai ‘25

Mills Behind the Scenes: Looking into the PTO

Staff Writers

Phoebe Piserchio & Michaela Gonzalez Editors-in-Chief

Ameena Stringer ‘25 Arianna Alvarez ‘24 Bianca Pando ‘26 Eduardo Galindo ‘25 Isabelle Yang ‘25 Janelle Pantilon ‘26 Sang Kyeong Choi ‘25 Happy Holidays from

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Hello Vikings and patrons! Thank you for supporting another wonderful year of The Thunderbolt. We hope all your finals go well and that you have a restful break!

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tudents are not always aware of The Mills Parent Teacher Organization, or PTO, but they play an important role in the well-being of the Mills student body. Their support ranges from informing the parent community about upcoming events and important information to the forefront of the Annual Fund that funds new technology, student clubs and activities, and even counseling support and lab or classroom equipment. Joy Pasamonte Henry has been involved with the PTO since her daughter’s freshman year in 2014. Now, for the second time as president of the PTO, Henry is focusing on the tradition of community and wellness for all of the Mills community. “We act as the link between parents and teachers and administration,” voiced Henry. Their main goal is to provide resources to parents who may not know how much stress their students are going through. Again, Henry emphasizes how the PTO is more than just parents and teachers,being that it also includes“caregivers and guardians as well those who are a part of our community.” The Annual Fund is also a big part of the PTO’s responsibility. “If you are financially able to provide a donation, it goes back 100% to the students at Mills,” Henry encouraged. All donations of any amount can support student services such as technology, field trips, and counseling to name a few. She adds that

planning the needs for the funds is really up to the focus groups of parents, students, and admin to evaluate what Mills really needs. Their goal for this year is $140,000, a high target since the pandemic drove the numbers low. Mills Mania, created about a decade ago, is a recurring event where student clubs and ASB representatives sell merchandise and food to raise a large portion of the Annual Fund. The PTO also hosts other student events including Cookies and Cram, which occurs on December 17th and 18th; the parents provide hot cocoa, apple cider, and other sweet treats for students to enjoy in the midst of finals and studying. Henry highlighted the PTO’s main goal, which is to provide re-

sources to the parents, especially those who don’t know where to go with questions and concerns. They often hold meetings and information sessions pertaining to the students from each grade. This upcoming January, 10th grade families will be invited to learn about their student’s transition into Junior year, along with other readiness resources. In the past, discussions have been held for Senior families concerning college and 8th graders for the upcoming high school career. Yet, despite the PTO’s attempt to circulate useful information, Henry advocates, “It’s hard to get families involved… because a lot of parents don’t know about these things. When you see us on campus, we want you to know why we’re here.” From free resourc-

es for parents to organizing funding for all aspects of the school, the PTO’s job is to connect and support the parents, students, and administration in an effort to better the well-being of the Mills environment.

Amelia Naughten / The Thunderbolt

PTO’S ANNUAL FUND: Principal Duszynski (left) and President Joy Pasamonte Henry pose for a photo with the Mills fund.

Does the Early Bird Get the Worm?

Noor Abdullah Opinions Editor

or the class of 2024, college applications are in full swing. From drafting perfectly curated personal statements to accurately reporting every class and exam grade received within the last four years, a lot of time and thought goes into a college application before it’s ready to submit. All of these tasks are completed under fast-approaching application deadlines. These deadlines range from early fall to late spring of students’ senior year depending on various factors, but what is the need for different deadlines and how do students decide which deadlines to adhere to? The first deadlines that come around are called “early decision” and “priority” deadlines which are offered by various public and private colleges. Early decision is advantageous for students who have thoroughly researched a college and

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decided that the programs offered fit their interests,campus, and location preferences. For some colleges, applying for early decision binds accepted applicants to attend that school, and consequently turn down other colleges that may accept them. Chloe Ho (12) applied to Stanford– her dream university- restrictive early action, aka early decision unplanned as she completed her application early. “Ultimately, it’s a school I really want to go to and generally those sorts of committing deadlines tend to give you a slightly higher chance of getting in- not by a very large margin but nonetheless a difference,” Ho shared. Completing her applications earlier in the year, even when she wasn’t applying for an early decision, she didn’t feel as stressed and took her time on her essays. Ho recommends applying early action only if students have a very strong affinity for a certain school. William Walz (12), a competitive swimmer for the Burlingame Aquatics Club, shared a different

perspective on seniors applying to colleges early. Student athletes looking to join a college’s sports team tend to begin applying as early as their Junior year. They apply for a spot on the team, rather than simply to the college, by showcasing great skill within their sport and grades that meet the college’s standards. Walz accepted a spot on Pomona College’s swim team, and is planning on swimming for them throughout his four years at the college. He explained: “Committing to a roster spot on the Pomona swim team essentially guarantees that I get into the school, as Pomona Admissions is notified that I'm an athlete, and I get a likely letter.” While there are various opportunities for students to apply earlier to colleges, a majority of seniors at Mills apply for regular decision. Both application processes have their advantages. The later deadlines grant applicants more time to consider different colleges and programs, as well as to complete the various parts of the application. On the other hand, applying earlier also means receiving news of an acceptance earlier. This provides students with more time to plan out where they will go for the future, find housing if needed, register firstchoice for classes, and emotionally come to terms with this drastic change in their lives. Walz shared advice for student athletes saying, “Personally, it was easy to get caught up in the pressure of committing to a college, but I had to remind myself that it’s a big decision to make...Seeing other people commit made me want to do the same, but I had to remind myself that it's a big decision to make. It's important to visit the school and make sure that you like the campus, people, food, dorms, etc.—you'll be spending the next four years at that school.”

Noor Abdullah / The Thunderbolt

EARLY DECISION STUDENTS: William Walz (left) and Chloe Ho (right) submitted early decision college applications.

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Seeing other people commit made me want to do the same, but I had to remind myself that it's a big decision to make. It’s important to visit the school and make sure that you like the campus, people, food, dorms, etc.—you’ll be spending the next four years at that school. -William Walz

Why have so many sites been blocked by the District? Julia Xia Features Editor

ach school in the San Mateo district is given Chromebooks to supply their students. The Chromebook is the perfect school computer because it is small enough not to take up space on a desk or in a backpack, and school software, such as secure testing programs, can be easily installed into it. One aspect of the Chromebook that arouses students’ outrage is the district’s ability to block websites. Why does the district block certain websites? According to the Children’s Internet Protection law, all schools have to block any website deemed inappropriate for children. This can range from websites with violent games on them to websites like Instagram. Outside that law, school districts can block any other websites they believe shouldn’t be accessed by students during school. Each school can request for certain websites to be blocked. If a teacher or staff member finds a website they deem inappropriate for the students, they can send it to the district and have them review it. “Students also can notify the staff and myself if they find a website they believe should be blocked or unblocked,” Principal Pamela Duszynski added during her interview. Still, so many students are annoyed with the Chromebook feature because of frequent cases where the district will block websites that don’t disrupt school. “I can understand, but some of the stuff they block is school-related, and it just makes it more annoying,” an anonymous Senior commented. One blocked website

Amelia Naughten / The Thunderbolt

BLOCKED WEBSITES: Slidesgo and Slack are blocked.

that has caused a commotion lately is Slidesgo. A popular website among Mills students, the Slidesgo website allows students to download slide templates and edit them to spice up their presentations. However, when a student attempts to access it, a small window with the words “Access blocked: Your institution’s admin needs to review this app” pops up. The same goes for Slack (a messaging platform popular among clubs) and Infogram (a graphing application). However, students often ignore that they can request to unblock these sites. The most convenient way to go about it is to file an anonymous alert; that alert will notify staff, and they will send the website to the district. This way, students can request the community to unblock websites they believe were unfairly blocked.

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Mills Freshman Is A Member of the SF Symphony Eduardo Galindo Aguilar Staff-Writer

M ills High School freshman Thais Chernyavsky(9) is a talented violinist who is also a part of the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra. The Orchestra is located in San Francisco and is a small part of the San Fransisco Orchestra. The Symphony’s purpose is to train young, talented musicians like Chernyavsky herself by professional musicians. Chernyavsky has spent the majority of her life practicing the violin, starting at the age of 3. Her love of music was passed down by her parents who are talented musicians themselves, with her father, who is a member of the SF Symphony and her mother having played and taught music. While she mainly plays the violin Chernyavsky also knows how to play other instruments as well, “I know a little bit of piano” she states. Along with learning how to play the piano, she also is practicing the saxophone. The SF Symphony Youth Orchestra was founded in 1981, by members of the San Francisco Symphony, it was their goal to give young musicians pre-professional training to these young

musicians at no cost to them. “It’s a great community of artists and musicians” she states about the symphony and how she feels pretty lucky to have been chosen. Now, there are over 100 people in the Orchestra and over 300 people auditioning to be a part of the community. Their most recent concert happened this winter on the 10th of December. The young musicians played Peter and the Wolf, composed by Sergei Sergeyevich, as well as many joyful Christmas carols. Along with the symphony as the narrator is Tom Kenny, the voice actor of SpongeBob.

At the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra Chernyavsky rehearses once a week on Saturdays from 1-5 pm. And when concerts are getting close rehearsals increase to 4-5 rehearsals a week. “It can be a little stressful when it comes close to the concert, but when it is over, I realize that it was all worth it.” Chernyavsky applied for the symphony orchestra in fall of last year when she was in the 8th grade. Which is on the younger side of the orchestra, ranging people from 12 to 20 years old. When auditioning Chernyavsky had to send a video of her skills.Which was a dif-

PROFESSIONAL PHOTO:

eduardo Galindo aGuilar / Mills Highschool Student

Chernyazsky posing with her violin

in a field.

eduardo Galindo aGuilar / Mills Highschool Student

Chernyazsky posing with her violin

ferent experience compared to in person auditions as she was used to, “Online you can record as many times your stamina can allow.” Whereas in person there are limits to how many times you can try. But as she mentions “On

for a photo.

the side of the judges its lower sound quality”“The SF Youth Symphony is a great community of young musicians and I feel really lucky to have been accepted into the program.” Chernyazsky concludes.

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Recap Isabelle Yang Staff Writer

O n Friday, December 8, theMills music department, including the band, orchestra, jazz band, and choir, put on their annual winter concert. They performed numerous musical pieces on the grand stage of the auditorium. The talented students showcased their hard work and dedication from this semester, playing holiday songs and more. They performed again on Friday night, putting on a captivating concert for family and friends. Every student has worked incredibly hard to make one of

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their biggest performances of the year a success for their audience. Lana Levison (12), the music department’s co-president and member of the jazz band, conveys that they hoped to create a fun experience for the students watching the concert for the first time. Levison states, “It gives the students a chance to really experience what Mills Music is, both performances and audience alike.” Although it might appear to be effortless on stage, Levison explains how the music department rehearsed daily as a whole and in sections, with extra practices planned by musicians to “perfect their pieces.” All of which, the

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Julia Xia / Mills Highschool Student

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iSabelle YanG / Mills Highschool Student

The Mills High School Orchestra performing for the student body on Friday.

music leadership coordinated to ensure every group and section could do their parts effectively. In addition, they connected with the Mills Musical Arts Group (MMAG) to assist with student input and news. Outside the music room, the department had also advertised the event throughout Millbrae, welcoming the community. As a result, the music department’s commitment to diligently practicing and rehearsing paid off, including during the school assembly. Bianca Santos (11), president of the orchestra, high-

lights, “I think we had practice at the assembly so the transitions were smoother at the night show.” Furthermore, Levison adds, “...we were able to estimate how much time everything would take…” showing how helpful the school assembly was. Transitions were also one of the challenges that the students faced during the shows. Santos describes the behind-the-scenes challenges, “I think all the moving parts [and having] certain people doing certain things so everybody’s not crowding [around].” Additionally, another chal-

lenge was managing rehearsals for the numerous acts they were performing. Levison elaborates, “...we did have a lot of smaller acts and music in the lobby, and then we had our big concert acts.” Despite these challenges, the performance met expectations for the music department and its audience. They also mentioned that multiple teachers and parents complimented them following the performance, which they appreciated. The next concert will be the spring concert, which the music department will start preparing for after winter break.

Concert.

Introducing This Year’s Musical: Bye Bye Birdie drama director and producer changed their minds due to some backlash and selected Bye Bye Birdie. When interviewing Mr. Hudelson, the production manager, he explained why they ultimately chose the musical. “Yes, I [chose the play]…Well, we had another musical in mind, but there was a little bit of backlash for that. We ended up going with something a little more tame:

Julia Xia / Mills Highschool Student

DRAMA POSTER: Screenshot of the Mills Drama poster for Bye Bye Birdie.

Ameena Stringer Staff Writier

T he Mills Drama Department is proud to present the classic musical: “Bye Bye Birdie.” Set to release in April of next year, the story follows a rock ‘n’ roll singer, Conrad Birdie, who gets drafted into the army. As a farewell gesture, his manager arrang-

es for him to give “one last kiss” to a lucky fan on live television. The show is filled with catchy songs, energetic dance numbers, and comedic moments. It’s a classic musical that captures the spirit of the 1950s and is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. This upcoming Spring play caused a lot of agitation since they were initially going to perform a different play. Still, the

there’s just a buzz on campus when we have our musicals. We achieved a lot with Matilda in an unconventional way.” There are many students who are excited to be a member of the cast, “I’m excited to perform with my cast mates in my last show!” Lana Levison (12) auditioning for cast proclaims. “Meeting new people and learning new songs and

ameena StrinGer / Mills Highschool Student

MONICA’S DRAWING: Monica’s drawing of Bye Bye Birdie recreated by Ameena.

“Bye Bye Birdie.” My wife is really fond of it; she loves it and grew up with it. She has shown me the movie a couple of times. It’s a great show for kids.” With some personal connection with this musical, Mr. Hudelson has high hopes for the cast: “We have a great tradition here, and we have done some amazing plays in the last few years. It’s exciting;

dances is always fun as well.” Although, as much as there is an outstanding and radiant finished output, there is always room for growth. “I think W e need to work on our communication and chemistry on stage, which I think can be better once we’ve spent some more time together.” Lana comments. “It’s always a time crunch trying to perfect all of the blocking and vocals for

our spring performances. Also, without a lot of the seniors that graduated, it’s up to the current seniors to guide new members.” Naturally, the purpose of the musical is to attract our students and their families, but it also serves a more significant objective for individuals in the musical. “Music is a great creative outlet for me, other than playing instruments, which lets me explore an interest in singing and dancing, too. My favorite part is the people I get to spend months rehearsing with, though, and we all get really close within that time.” Lana finishes off. The entire cast plus production members are overflowing with exhilaration to start the production. School Musicals such as Matilda, Shakespeare In Love, and Athena are all examples of great builds of mutual support, collaboration, and teamwork school plays have on students. The students have a strong feelings of accomplishment within themselves and others with such considerable achievements of these productions. Our musical plays are made to easily include art, speech, movement, theater, music, and singing into your curriculum, which is already bursting with subjects. Mr. Hudleson starts off every school play with strong words of encuragement. “It’s a standard, and people expect it and won’t be disappointed. I think we have the right people, and it’s just an amazing music program.”

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s the crisp winter air rolls in, an often inexplicable but significant change can occur within students. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), most commonly coined “seasonal depression”, often brings a sense of melancholy among students, leading them to be more susceptible to match the weather’s dark and cold ambience. This form of depression is more than just “winter blues”; it is a mental health condition that follows a seasonal pattern, most frequently developing during the winter time. Seasonal depression is a subtype of major depressive disorder that aligns with specific seasons. Many researchers attribute its factors to a reduction in daylight, shorter days, and variations of serotonin and melatonin levels. For students already experiencing troubles with academics and finals, seasonal depression can only increase the challenges they face, impacting concentration, motivation, and overall well-being.

Tuqa Nabi / Unsplash

While seasonal depression can pose difficulty, there are many effective coping strategies to help students navigate during this difficult time. Studies show that incorporating Vitamin D into your diet can boost serotonin levels, as the reduced sunlight can lead to Vitamin D deficiency. Further, keeping a diary or journal can boost emotional well-being, as well as doing gentle exercise activities such as yoga or walking. Yet for a student, the outcomes of seasonal depression may come harsher than other people. Freshmen may be nervous for their first round of finals, or for seniors it could be balancing the influx of college applications with the already challenging finals. But, no matter what obstacles arise these last few weeks of fall semester, it is important to remember that almost all students are experiencing some form of burnout, and there is light out of the tunnel. Socialize with loved ones, buy yourself a sweet treat, and get excited for the sunnier 2024 Spring Semester!

Handling

Seasonal Depression Bÿ: Michaela Gonzalez and Phoebe Piserchio Editors-in-Chief

Donate to Our

Local Toy Drives!

Bÿ: Isabelle Ýang Copÿ Editor Marine Corps / Toys for Tots Organization

the

CCFD Toy Drive

The Central County Fire Department is hosting a Holiday Toy Drive.

They are collecting new, unwrapped toys until December 24th. Donations can be dropped off at any fire station in Millbrae, Burlingame, or Hillsborough or the toys can be sent directly to the fire stations. They are also accepting monetary donations to the CCFD Toy Drive.

the

nother toy drive taking place at Mills is the CFC toy drive, run by the Caring for Cancer Club. They are accepting any new toys until December 14th, which can be dropped off in the classrooms equipped with brown boxes. Currently, the rooms with drop-off locations are Debois, Wang, Reyes, and Dilemme.

the

Marine's 3 Toys for Tots

Caring for 2 Cancer Drive

Lastly, the Marine Corps Reserve organizes a nationwide toy drive called Toys for Tots. The closest location is the Marine Corps Reserve Center in San Bruno. On their website, you can find drop-off locations and even apply to be added as a toy drop site for the public. Their toys go out to thousands of children every year. Donate before December 14th!

8 Opinions The Thunderbolt Is Our Obsession With Holiday Shopping Harming The Environment? Julia Xie Features Editor

very holiday season Americans line up to purchase holiday decorations to spice up their homes. From ribbons and bows to doctorate gifts, to delicious holiday foods, the holidays are the time of year when we like to indulge. And yet for all the festivities and fun, there is a price to pay. This is especially the case when it comes to one of the most ubiquitous items we all see during Christmas time: wrapping paper. Every year Americans buy and use up to 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper and half of that paper ends up being sent to the landfills. During Christmas, 2.3 of the 4.6 million pounds of paper is used. Not only does the creation of wrapping paper emit CO2 into the

atmosphere, but the thrown away paper contributes to an increase in greenhouse gasses and further harms the already fragile environment. Food waste also increases during the holiday season. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years experience a 25% increase of food waste compared to the rest of the year. This takes the form of scraps of food forgotten during the cooking process and the leftovers on everyone’s plate. With all the factors that contribute to the harming of the environment, is there any way to lessen it? It seems difficult to believe that there are truly sustainable ways to help the environment that don’t result in spending more money; but there are easy ways to cut back on your holiday waste. When it comes to wrapping paper there are 100% recyclable papers available, but the paper that isn’t can be saved for the next year or used as stuffing for any fragile materials. There is also reusable wrapping paper on the market that is more of a wrap than real paper; it can be reused for a longer period of time since it doesn’t tear as easily. Food on the other hand is much more simple. Storing your leftovers to save or turn into different meals is the more convenient

way to reduce the amount of food getting thrown away. It’s also important to not get distracted by all the fun holiday themed foods and just buy what you will actually eat. It’s easy to get caught up in the flair of the holiday season and

want to buy any cute thing you see. I think it can be a bit tedious to remember what is recyclable and what isn’t, but just remember to recycle as much as you can will make a big difference. It is important to remember that most of the

time these items are temporary and often end up in landfills. Reminding yourself and the people around you to stay conscious of how much waste they are putting into the environment is crucial to ensuring the environment isn’t anymore harmed.

Ann Pedone: Mills Community Member

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Shelves are stocked with seasonal candies and an excessive

amount of harmful packaging.

Gifts: Material Presents or Straight Cash? Abigail Chai Entertainment Editor

he winter season is filled with numerous holidays which are celebrated in their own, unique ways, but they often share one common theme: gift giving! For many, receiving gifts is something to look forward to year-round, whether it’s the latest shoes, phone, etc. But overtime, traditional ways of gift-giving have slowly been replaced, with people opting to give cash and/or gift cards to their loved ones as presents during the holidays. This phenomenon isn’t just confined to the holidays either, with many now deciding to offer money as gifts for birthdays, weddings, and celebrations in general. Overtime, the change in tradition has been questioned, often receiving mixed feelings with many citing their reasons towards a likeness over another, thus raising the question: What really is the “perfect gift” this winter? Generally, money has shown to be an openly welcomed gift by a majority of people, the main consensus being that it’s more practical than receiving an “actual” gift. A study conducted in 2019 showed that out of 1,000 surveyed Americans, about 61% of them preferred cash/gift cards in lieu of customary presents. This large consensus could be a result of many reasons, but many have ultimately agreed it’s due to Americans finally embracing practicality amidst winter festivities. Many are tired of receiving useless and/or disliked gifts that serve little to no purpose in their lives. However, money is a seeming solution to this problem, guaranteeing that the recipient would make use of their gift in one way or another. When offered a form of cash as a gift, receivers are free to use the money as they like, whether it be purchasing something they actually want or investing the money towards their futures. Gifting money also finds practicality in another point, contributing to a decrease in waste during the holidays. The amount of waste created in the time from Thanksgiving to New Years has shown to increase between 25 and 43 percent, a prevalent problem in society each year. Waste during this period is often a

consequence of several aspects of gift giving such as wrapping paper, ribbons/bows, and gifts being thrown out shortly afterwards, as many don’t find use in received presents. However, offering cash in place of a well packaged present not only eliminates the scraps that come with traditional gifts, but also decreases the number of gifts finding their way into the landfill. Don’t be mistaken though as many still prefer traditional means of gift-giving, as they often show better sentimental value in comparison. Traditional gifts come with many features (as stated before), that make them more extravagant and overall, meaningful. While cash and/or gift cards are more than often encased in a simple envelope or card, actual gifts frequently require extra effort when it comes to packaging. While a somewhat small aspect that many overlook, it’s this extra effort which reveals the work someone is willing to put in for a loved one. Many also find that the gift it-

self shows value regardless of how much they truly enjoy the gift or the usefulness it plays in their lives. Picking the perfect gift for a friend or family member requires one to consider what the recipient enjoys, their interests, etc., displaying interest which simply cannot be conveyed through gestures of cash. Junior, Elaine Chan (11) expressed similar reasons as to why she enjoys the traditional gifts over gestures of money. “People have to put more thought into it and actually consider what you like.” She stated. “I feel like money doesn’t show as much care.” Nonetheless, whether you enjoy gift cards, cash, or a gift from the top of your wishlist, it’s important to remember the holidays aren’t just all about the gifts, but rather about spending time with your loved ones. Presents are meant to show both love and care, and in their own special ways, always present some aspect of practicality and consideration of the reciever’s wants..

I prefer sentimental and thoughtful gifts. My sister once gave me a necklace with my name on it that I love. My sisters and I also got matching rings. -Elaine Chan

I really like reciving board games and puzzles. My favorite one I’ve ever recieved is a board game called Quoridor, it’s this very simple logic game. I love playing it with my family. -Amelia Naughten

Noor Abdullah: MHS Thunderbolt

HOLIDAY GIFTS: Brightly wrapped gifts adorned in bows, and a hundred dollar bill .

Opinions 9 Wearing Pajamas At School?

The Thunderbolt

Arianna Alvarez Staff Writer

Why Are Students So Attached to AirPods? Elaine Chan Center Spread Editor

veryday, it’s customary to walk into school and immediately put your AirPods in, a new song playing in the background. Since the 2016 release, AirPods have become an absolute necessity among students all across the Mills Campus. Whether you’re walking during passing periods, working in the library, or even during class, it’s guaranteed that almost everyone has an AirPod in underneath their hoodie. So the question rises, why are we so attached to our AirPods and do they have any effect on our ability to perform in school? When asked, Warren Shiu (11) states, “It can calm my brain and personally it helps me focus when I’m working.” Even in the comfort of our own homes, cramming for finals often also means AirPods are absolutely necessary. Among the students, the majority have explained that listening to music allows them to stay focused for longer periods of time, especially when they can associate a certain subject with a song. This association has led the student opinion that AirPods and music are the sole reason for their focus. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), music and lyrics actually have great impacts on their idea of self-identity and self-exploration. Many times musical artists serve as inspirational figures, and it can even build valuable friendships. “I’ve made so many amazing friends just because we listened to the same artist or went to the same concert,” a sophomore voices. Alongside its

ere at Mills High, the trend of wearing cozy pajamas to school has started as the cold winter weather sets in. Walking across campus these days, you will see many students here wearing comfy pajama pants, in plaid and festive patterns. The appropriateness of wearing pants to school is often a topic of debate. When students were asked share to share their thoughts on the subject, a majority said they didn’t see an issue with wearing pajamas to school. A student who wishes to stay anonymous has shared that she thinks wearing pajamas to school has become a trend because it is comfortable and maybe some students don’t like wearing jeans to school all the time. She claims reason she started wearing them was because they’re comfortable and sometimes she doesn’t like wearing ‘regular’ clothes. Rebutting critics who describe this choice of clothes as ‘sloppy’ and ‘lazy’, she said she believes that even though students wear pajamas to school, they still care about their appearance. “For example, some girls still wear a cute dressy top while wearing pajama pants.” Another student here at Mills shared of some of the criticism she recieved for wearing pants at school, said explaining that at first, her parents thought that she shouldn’t wear

pajamas to school because it’s not appropriate and pajamas are more for at home. After a while of her wearing them to school though, they stopped commentingsaying things. “ Sometimes pajamasthey make me feel a little more lazy but never unproductive, if anything they make me more productive because I’m able to be comfortable while doing classwork and /assignments.” My parents feel that it is inappropriate to wear pajamas outside of the house and that it shows laziness to not get dressed in ‘real’ clothing before you leave the house, therefore they don’t believe it’s a good idea to wear pajamas to school. There appears to be a difference in opinions based on age; while most students approve of pajamas at schools, their parents and guardians aren’t entirly supportive. Clothing trends simply change throughout generations. In my opinion, I feel like pajamas are okay to wear to school because they’re comfortable and warm. Some students may desire to maintain comfort while attending class and completing assignments and learning. Since it is almost winter, this is a great time to start wearing warm pajamas! Although some parents may not believe that it is proper for students to wear pajamas to school, ultimately it comes down to what the students feel comfortable with wearing; the choice is their’s.

Elaine Chan: MHS Thunderbolt

DISTRACTED IN CLASS: Student wears a hoodie and airpods while using phone.

fore AirPods are the perfect device for everyday listening. Their convenience makes them all the more appealing to younger audiences who can listen to their favorite artists at any given moment. The previous hassle of dealing with wired headphones is now nonexistent, however this can raise another important question of whether or not our attention spans have lessened since the rise in popularity of AirPods. It is a big ask for our brains to constantly have to attempt multitasking when it comes to simple things such as having a conversation. Yet, it has become the new normal to talk to someone who has an AirPod in one ear; you can never truly tell if they are genuinely listening. English teacher Mr. Pretto states, “How can you listen to your Taylor Swift song while also listening to your teacher? It’s not possible.” Many teachers feel similarly as they express their daily frustration over AirPods. Students have become so accustomed to them that it almost seems impossible to think without them. True productivity is produced when our brains are solely focused on one and one thing only. Contrary to the belief that multitasking is possible, simply splitting your attention between music and work does not actually achieve more in the end. When asked if studying without AirPods or music is more productive students’ responses varied across the board. Some expressed that it’s almost impossible and some shared that silent studying is their preferred method. “My mind wants to focus on the music if I try to work so it’s honestly counterproductive,” Jonah Zilberter (11) expresses. The brain is not equipped for multitasking; however, AirPods are a growing Elaine Chan: MHS Thunderbolt necessity for younger students no A COMMON SIGHT IN TODAY’S CLASSROOMS: Students on electronic devices. matter if it’s truly hurting or helping. developmental significance, having an AirPod in can be relaxing and reduce anxiety in public spaces. Music shows direct links to human responses as confirmed by the National Library of Medicine. Stress management among adolescents has shown connections with their music intake. With at least 2.5 hours of listening each day, music has now become a key part of student life. Slower and calmer tempos can relax your mind while upbeat music is shown to greatly increase brain activity, resulting in a positive mood, there-

Noor Abdullah: MHS Thunderbolt

PAJAMAS AT SCHOOL: Megan Feria poses in plaid pajama pants in Center Court.

Noor Abdullah: MHS Thunderbolt

PAJAMAS AT SCHOOL: Hailey Tan and Bella Lozano in festive pajamas and slides.

10 The Nutcracker Experience Amelia Naughten NewS editor

he toll of a midnight bell, and the stage is brought to life – mice, humans, and fairies alike. Many have heard the story of the Nutcracker or watched it, but not many know what it takes to perform in this ballet. At Mills, several students spend their Decembers rigorously training to put on this show for audiences, and this season, the Thunderbolt is cracking open what goes on behind the scenes. The Nutcracker is the classic two-act Ballet composed by Tchaikovsky. The story follows main characters Clara and the Nutcracker through a series of fantastical worlds, ending in a dramatic battle between the Rat King (or Queen) and his army of mice. The Nutcracker originally premiered in Russia in 1891, and has since spread across the globe, becoming a common holiday pastime for many. Jacelyn Lam (10) is a veteran at the Nutcracker, with this year being her 10th year dancing in the San Francisco Ballet’s production. She has been dancing ballet for 12 years, and considers performing the Nutcracker as an annual tradition for her. This year, she was cast as a butterfly that opens Act 2, which she began rehearsing for as early as October. From weekly two hour sessions to more frequent practices with company dancers on top of daily classes, Lam always cherishes “being able to tell the story just by moving along to the music, and making memories with friends.” She dedicates a majority of her free time to improving technique and practic-

ing, and hopes that her efforts will help bring out the joy of the Nutcracker this season. Another sophomore at Mills, Danica Dvorak is undertaking a role in the Nutcracker for the first time

SportS “I’ve always wanted to join a real on-stage production of the Nutcracker with costumes and sets, but I never really had the opportunity to do that at my previous dance studio,” Dvorak added, noting how she recently switched studios to the Bay Area Ballet Conservatory (BABC) to focus on ballet.

The Thunderbolt young kids who played her mice, citing that she would often use the time spent corralling the kids to practice individually. She also explained that although not many people realize it, extensive hours rehearsing en pointe take a toll on dancer’s foot health – something that she makes sure to counteract with protective gear and

Amelia Naughten / The Mills Thunderbolt

THEATER AND BALLET: Joleen Huang (11) (fourth dancer to the right) in a different supporting role.

this year. “I grew up attending the Nutcracker almost every year at Christmastime with my mom at the San Francisco Ballet,” Dvorak remembers. As a dancer from the age of four herself, attending the Nutcracker was an extremely special event for her, and she recounts admiring “just how much athleticism and mental willpower that performing requires.”

A week after auditions, Dvorak discovered that she had been cast as Flower Soloist, Russian Soloist, Snowflake’s corps de ballet, and most prominently, the Rat Queen. “I had to take one private session to get used to wielding the really heavy fake sword that I use and to learn the choreography for my short solo variation,” Dvorak shared. She also enjoyed working alongside the

care. The BABC performance took place on the third weekend of December, in which Dvorak’s efforts came to fruition. Last but not least, Joleen Huang (11), has been dancing in the Nutcracker since she was five and explored various styles such as contemporary, lyrical and modern before settling on ballet. From small background roles to now soloist and

featured characters, Huang recounts, “It’s been my favorite thing watching myself and my friends progress through roles we never thought we’d get.” Although her studio guarantees participating dancers a role, there was still much competition over securing main characters. This year, Huang was cast in the Snowflakes and Waltz of the Flowers corps de ballet, Spanish Chocolate, and Russian Candy Cane. “When I was cast as a Russian Candy Cane, I was extremely surprised; it’s one of the hardest variations in the Nutcracker with many patterning tricks,” Huang explained. Rehearsals to prepare for this role varied anywhere from one to six hours at a time in addition to weekly classes. Along the way, Huang came across some roadblocks such as not being able to meet with her partner for the Candy Cane role until the week of the performance. However, she took advantage of every moment they had at the theater to practice their tricks. The weekend of the performance was draining but ran smoothly for Huang: “At the end we got it down, and I’m really proud of that,” she commented. These dancers input many hours over the winter months to put on this performance for spectators, and bring the spirit of the holiday season alive. Watching the Nutcracker is a wonderful way to support our local arts and dancers, but regardless of whether you watch the Nutcracker or not this season, it’s eye-opening to realize the intense work and dedication that these dancers put into their art. Huang shared, “I want people to understand how hard ballerinas work to satisfy the audience,” and through this article, she hopes you can now appreciate the Nutcracker performance through a new lens.

Amelia Naughten / The Mills Thunderbolt

THEATER AND BALLET: Jacelyn Lam (10) as an angel in the Nutcracker when she was younger.

Amelia Naughten / The Mills Thunderbolt

THEATER AND BALLET: Danica Dvorak (10) practices for her role in the Nutcracker.

Amelia Naughten / The Mills Thunderbolt

THEATER AND BALLET: Joleen Huang (11) starring in her solo Spanish role in the center.

The Thunderbolt

Deep

Dive

Sang Kyeong Choi Staff writer

occer, football, softball, baseball, water polo, and cross country are sports where Mills athletes display their great talent. But why does the spotlight always go to the Varsity teams? What about the Freshman or JV (Junior Varsity) teams? To answer this question, knowing basic knowledge of highschool sports teams is needed. Sports teams in high school are usually divided the following according teams; Freshman, JV (Junior Varsity) and Varsity. The reason why they are divided is because their skill levels are all different. Freshman teams usually only have freshmen, JV teams usually have freshmen and sophomores, whilst Varsity teams usually have juniors and seniors. Athletic teams like Varsity teams have more experienced and skilled players than JV teams but the players slowly rise up to skills as they get to Varsity. JV teams have better player qualities than Fresh-

the

Junior

man teams. These reasons divide sports teams into Freshman, JV and Varsity, despite some similarities that may be present. Though more attention goes towards the older and more “highstakes” Varsity teams, the JV and freshman teams put in just as much mork and may even have just as much talent. Both teams are necessary despite the possible thought that having both a Freshman and JV team is too much because of their high similarities. Even though they look similar they are both necessary for players. If there is no Freshman team, beginners will have a hard time adapting to the JV team. The Freshman team helps new players improve their qualities as newcomers. By competing with players who have the same levels, new players can develop their experiences with the sport. The JV team helps fill the experiences and skills that freshmen lack compared to high grade sport players. Freshman team’s qualities are low compared to Varsity team and vice versa.

SportS Varsity

(JV)

JV teams help freshmen get enough experiences and skills to improve qualities likened to higher grade players in varsity. Moving from Freshman to JV and then finally to Varsity is a common path that many athletes will take in their highschool sporting careers. By thinking about what the Freshman team does and what JV does helps finding the

and

Freshmen

answer to which team gets the most spotlight. Even though the JV team and Freshman team have similarities, the JV team gets more spotlight. The main spotlight usually goes to high level players and players who are releasing their potential. Comparing the Freshman team and JV team, the JV team has higher level players. Also JV team players

Sports

Teams

have enough experience to start the release of their potential. Freshman teams can get spotlight like JV teams but JV teams are more likely to get spotlight than Freshman teams. For the question,”Does the spotlight go to Freshman or JV teams?” the answer would be that JV teams are more likely to get spotlight than Freshman teams.

GRAPHIC / The Mills Thunderbolt

SPORTS:

Split

into

three