Read into student thoughts on the various propositions and politicians voted in this fall
The Grinch Who Stole Thanksgiving
How Thanksgiving gets overshadowed by Christmas Chromakopia
A review on Tyler the Creator’s latest album
The origin story behind Black Friday, and fnd the best deals.
In celebration and appreciation for November, Native American Heritage Month.
Hear from Mills students and staf on their thoughts on the 2024 election.
Annual holiday club actitity for WOW Christian Club.
Ms. Chavez’s Golden Apple Award
Celebrating our very own Wellness Counselor, Ms. Chavez.
A One-Act Review of this Fall’s Two Plays
The Christmas spirit often overshadows the remainder of the fall season.
Thanksgiving with the Thunderbolt
Our favorite fall recipes to enjoy.
The Old Tale of Charlie Brown
Telling the story of the iconic holiday icons, the Peanuts.
How the late night parody talkshow has had a recent spike in popularity, even at school.
Has the integrity of clubs been lost at Mills?
Why did we establish the phonomena of Daylight Savings Time?
Farewells to the Class of 2025’s fall athletes.
See the flm reel of fall Viking athletes!
Girls Tennis: Undefeated
Our Girls Tennis Team triumphs this season.
Unveiling Tyler, The Creator’s newest studio album.
A look into the passions of a student artist at Mills.
Find out what’s popular at Mills
Iasked Lelu Daviner (10) what she was going to get on Black Friday. She said, “I’d like to buy a bunch of socks”. When I asked her why she said “Because socks are way cheaper in Black Friday, and since its in November they have the extra warm ones.” Other things I heard people were planning on getting when asked included, computers, clothing, and video games.
Many stores have massive sales on this day. Last year, according to NBC News, some of the top selling products include the Apple Airtag, Crest 3D White Strips, Anker Nano Power Bank, Fullstar Compact Vegetable Chopper, and the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle. For us students though, there are some deals that can help improve your school work as well as for personal enjoyment.
Where did the holiday come from?
OnMany students at Mills prefer to use personal computers instead of school issued Chromebooks and Black Friday is full of deals on new Laptops to help you be more productive at school. Some on sale at Best Buy as of the writing of this article are the Lenovo Ideapad 1 15.6 inch model with a Ryzen 7 5700U with 16GB memory, which normally goes for $800 but is on sale for $420. Currently I believe for the price and which you get this is the best deal available at Best Buy as it comes with 16 GB of memory, a great processor which will be useful for years to come, and a decently large 512 GB SSD for any files you may keep. Some other options are the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 Touch Laptop with an AMD Ryzen 5 8640 HS and 8 GB of memory (normally $730, now $450) and if you want a Copilot+ PC the HP OmniBook X Copilot+ PC 14" with a Snapdragon Elite (normally $1200, now $800). These computers are powerful enough to run circles around your school Chromeboook as well as be useful outside of school. If you’re looking for a Mac you may want the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch Apple M2 chip and 16 GB of memory (normally $1000, now $750). What is Black Friday?
November 29th, the day we all know as Black Friday will come around again, bringing sales and hordes of deal-hungry shoppers looking for TVs, microwaves, and game consoles, but most students aren’t looking for TVs or microwaves. So, what deals are out there for us students to take advantage of and where can we find them?
Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving, but why isn’t it treated like most holiday sales (ex. Memorial Day or Labor Day) and named after the holiday? The reason for this lies in its history. The first semblances of Black Friday showed up in the late 1800s when after Thanksgiving Day parades, department stores would open their doors to begin the holiday shopping season. Many may have heard
that the name comes from how the day would push a store into the “black” or “positive” profits, but according to Walden University, the name actually comes from Philadelphia’s police.
In Philadelphia, the Army-Navy game is held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving which brings large crowds from all over the US, with most of them arriving on Friday. These crowds caused a massive headache for the Philadelphia Police Department who in the vein of events such as the Black Death or the numerous uses of Black Monday, named it Black Friday. These crowds also brought profits to the stores so they also adopted the name, putting the “in the black” spin on it to make it more marketable.
Article continued on millsthunderbolt.com
What are you buying on Black Friday?
Crumbl Cookies, and many students are ecstatic. As someone who has never tried Crumbl Cookies, I went to discover why it's so popular.
Crumbl Cookies was established in Utah by Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley in 2017. They went on a “quest to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie” and this business later expanded to include other flavors.
Crumbl enthusiast Crystal Yu (9) explained, “It’s really sweet and it’s fast. The recipe has a lot of sugar and it makes it fat and soft and chewy.” Yu enjoys the sugary sizable cookie Crumbl has to offer. “I love Crumbl. I think it’s really sweet and fat because though it’s not worth the entire $6, customers should definitely get it because they deserve it and a sweet treat.”
Something that makes Crumbl stand out from other cookie companies is their weekly rotating menu. “You don’t see them in any other cookie places and they have a lot of new flavors every week,” says Sascha Pascual (11).
Crumbl Cookies is also known for its large cookie sizes. “I also think the size of cookies is, like, huge. It makes it all look so much better,” Erika Hamada (11) says.
“I would definitely recommend [it], even though it’s like a crazy amount of calories, but it’s still really good,” Hamada says.
With this data in mind, I ventured out to the Crumbl Cookies in Foster City to input my thoughts on Crumbl. Here are my thoughts after trying out the lineup for the week of
At first glance, the overall presentation didn’t seem that grand but the moment I took the first bite I understood why many enjoy Crumbl. This cookie was sweet and savory and easy to bite into.
A snickerdoodle cookie is a common cookie that is made everywhere so I expected Crumbl to have some flair in their recipe. While this cookie was harder to bite into compared to Maple Glaze, it still retained a lot of flavor.
This cookie is supposed to resemble a cupcake with the frosting. The chocolate frosting was rich, but it overpowered the entire cookie. This cookie is perfect for chocolate lovers.
The sugar and texture give this cookie a perfect crunch when you bite into it. The lemon taste wasn’t as strong as the scent, but there’s a perfect balance between sweetness.
and the cookie had a texture that was more reminiscent of bread than a traditional cookie.
I was most eager to try this cookie due to it uniquely resembling a donut. After taking a couple of bites, I was disappointed to discover it wasn’t that special. This cookie tasted like a pink sugar cookie with extra sugar.
After sampling these flavors, I’ve concluded that Crumbl Cookies did not live up to my expectations. I would consider returning if the lineup offers more flavors I would enjoy. I like the idea of a weekly rotation of the menu Crumbl has. However, I believe people should be mindful of consuming them regularly due to the high sugar content. On that note, Pascual says,
“It’s not for everyone, but try it once.”
This cookie gave me a unique learning experience due to a serving error. When I opened the box, the cookie immediately caught my attention because it was burnt and appeared unusually “puffed.” Initially, I didn’t think much of it. However, upon further investigation, I discovered that Crumbl had forgotten to include the spiral vanilla cream cheese frosting. In terms of flavor, the pumpkin taste was very strong,
By Julia Xia Opinions Editor
In June 2023, High Street Residential submitted a proposal to Millbrae to demolish Office Depot and replace it with a six-story, 278unit apartment building.
In June 2023, High Street Residential submitted a proposal to Millbrae to demolish Office Depot and replace it with a six-story, 278-unit apartment building.
What once was Office Depot will now become a large apartment complex, spanning 17,210 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, 228,802 square feet of residential, and around 84 feet tall. The apartment will have six stories, 278 units in total, with 26 dedicated to affordable housing. Two levels of interior parking will also be included in the construction. Besides the apartment building, there will also be a public plaza with seating and decorative plants and trees.
What once was Office Depot will now become a large apartment complex, spanning 17,210 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, 228,802 square feet of residential, and around 84 feet tall. The apartment will have six stories, 278 units in total, with 26 dedicated to affordable housing. Two levels of interior parking will also be included in the construction. Besides the apartment building, there will also be a public plaza with seating and decorative plants and trees.
While there is currently no estimated price for each of the units, to accommodate low-income families who might want to buy, the 26-units will be set at a lower price. This will ensure that low-income families will have the chance to purchase an apartment without it impacting their overall financial situation too much.
While there is currently no estimated price for each of the units, to accommodate low-income families who might want to buy, the 26-units will be set at a lower price. This will ensure that low-income families will have the chance to purchase an apartment without it impacting their overall financial situation too much.
The demolition of Office Depot reflects the current trend in Millbrae to modernize or close off their older buildings. The Mr. Pickles in downtown Millbrae relaced with Ponyo Foods to the abandoned Lucky’s building; Millbrae is getting rid of the old and making way for the new. The city also seems to be prioritizing housing over recreation, with many of these buildings being replaced by apartments and affordable housing.
With all these buildings being either abandoned or torn down, it prompts the question: what comes next for Millbrae’s infrastructure?
The demolition of Office Depot reflects the current trend in Millbrae to modernize or close off their older buildings. The Mr. Pickles in downtown Millbrae relaced with Ponyo Foods to the abandoned Lucky’s building; Millbrae is getting rid of the old and making way for the new. The city also seems to be prioritizing housing over recreation, with many of these buildings being replaced by apartments and affordable housing. With all these buildings being either abandoned or torn down, it prompts the question: what comes next for Millbrae’s infrastructure?
By Sara Meng Staff Writer
marks a time for reflection, celebration, and acknowledgment as the nation celebrates Native American Heritage Month. Rooted in history and tradition, this month invites all people to honor the resilience, culture, and contributions of the Indigenous peoples. Yet, while its significance is undeniable, questions remain about its visibility in society and how we can better promote awareness in these modern times.
Native American Heritage Month originated from the efforts of Indigenous leaders and advocates who sought formal recognition of their history and culture. Ms. Thomas, a History teacher at Mills, shared a little about what she knew about this month: “This is something I had to look up. Apparently, Native American Heritage Month started as ‘Native American Awareness Week’ in 1976. In 1986, the week was renamed to ‘American Indian Week.’ It was celebrated from November 23–30th.
In 1990, George H.W. Bush signed a resolution designating November as ‘Native American Heritage Month.’”
Congress chose November with much purpose. This month traditionally marked the conclusion of the harvest season for many Native communities—a time of thanksgiving, celebration, and reflection. Through the passing of Public Law 101-343 in 1990, Native American Heritage Month became a platform for amplifying Indigenous voices and honoring their role in shaping the United States’ history.
Despite its historical importance, Native American Heritage Month currently struggles to gain more attention in mainstream media and society. Public awareness often pales in comparison to other celebrations. Ms. Thomas noted, “Unfortunately, I believe this heritage month gets overlooked due to Thanksgiving and Black Friday. I
think people should learn more about the Ohlone people—the original stewards of the land.”
This thought is further confirmed by Mrs. Leung, an English teacher at Mills, and Angelina Komashko, a senior at Mills. Mrs. Leung states, “I personally don’t know much about Native American Heritage Month. I do agree that this is a very important thing to celebrate and that we should be learning more about it.” Komashko supports, “Yes, I believe that the school should cover more about this topic. I don’t really know much about it.” The lack of widespread media coverage leaves many Americans unaware of the significance of this month, further emphasizing the need for proactive engagement.
To work through the complexities that the 21st century has brought, fostering greater awareness and respect for Native American Heritage Month is crucial. Institutions can play a great role by integrating more Indigenous history into the curriculum and promoting local Indigenous voices. For example, highlighting the history and culture of the Ohlone people in schools around the bay can build a deeper connection to the land and its original inhabitants.
Native American Heritage Month is more than a commemoration—it is a call to action. While it acknowledges the past, its true power lies in shaping the present and future by fostering understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures.
Let November work as a reminder that the richness of America’s history is incomplete without the voices and stories of its original people. The task before us is simple: to uplift, educate, and celebrate— hopefully not just for the month of November, but every day.
[Middle] Genevieve Pasamonte Henry (11) and Zurine Cheng (12) working at the Voting Center in Millbrae on Nov. 4, 2024.
Mark Chan (12) works as a cafeteria server during lunch. Proposition 32 would have raised minimum wage for student workers like Chan to $18 an hour.
By Eduardo Galindo . Copy Editor
Onelection day, Nov. 5, 2024, Americans across the country had the chance to vote on different matters for national and local changes. For Millbrae citizens, however, there were ten state propositions as well as the Millbrae council member elections to consider.
Of the ten propositions, the approved Proposition 2 draws the attention of many students and school staff. With the passing of Prop. 2 the state will have 10 billion dollars to improve k-12 schools and community colleges across the state for various infrastructure needs. The money will be split so that 4 billion will be distributed for renovation costs and 3.3 billion will be distributed for new construction and purchasing of land.
The money is much needed now since the last bond failed in 2020 and according to the Public Policy Institute of California, 38% of students do not go to schools that meet the minimum facility standards.
Proposition 2 isn’t without its costs however. It uses bonds to pay for the new infrastructure costs which results in California paying $500 million each year for 35 years, an additional 7.5 billion to the original 10 billion dollars that California borrowed.
Despite this, many teachers and students are excited to see how Proposition 2 will improve schools. Mark Chan (12) a school cafeteria worker says, “I think the state that we find a lot of schools [in] today is broken down, and some money allocated to finishing the schools would benefit the students and teachers as well because then it would create a better learning environment.”
By Abby Chai Center Spread Editor
While Trader Joe’s pumpkinspiced products are nothing short of delicious, they often overshadow the store’s other autumn releases. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, there’s no better way to celebrate the coming holiday with a few snacks, inspired by the food-packed holiday.
Sharing the same sentiment, math teacher Molly Kovacs believes the proposition will create inspiring and comfortable places to learn. In addition, Kovacs states, “I hope that there are a lot of people involved in the decision process. When you make a decision that doesn’t include all the stakeholders, that doesn’t usually have the result you want. But I am excited to see improvements to our schools.”
Along with Proposition 2, Proposition 32 also had many students interested in it. Although it failed to pass, Proposition 32 would have increased minimum wage from 16 dollars per hour to 18 dollars per hour.
But Chan states, “Because we live in an area where the minimum wage is high even if the bill gets passed, it wouldn’t make a monumental difference.” To Chan’s point, many areas already have a minimum wage that is higher than 16 dollars per hour (the state minimum wage).
However, Proposition 32 would have aided a lot of students that are starting to work. Government teacher Manansala says, “[Prop. 32] will likely have a negative impact on students, whether they're working part-time, full-time, or just seasonally. With the growing rent and housing prices in our state (and especially the Bay Area), keeping the current minimum wage statewide will make it difficult for the youth and students to find their own living situations.”
In addition to propositions, the members of the San Mateo County Board of Education were also voted for in the elections. Trustee areas 4, 5, and 6 were up for election to candidates with new member Mike O’Neill joining area 5 (Pacifica to Millbrae and Burlingame) in January of 2025. Mike O’Neill, with his experience as the Pacifica School Board Trustee for 14 years, claims he wants to help deliver new services and curriculums to schools.
Looking for improvement for schools, Kovacs states, “As a teacher I hope to see them putting resources to our marginalized students and listening to students, teachers, and research about the best programs and resources to provide.”
I was honestly quite impressed at how much flavor was jam-packed into these chips. Extremely reminiscent of a warm plate of stuffing (arguably one of the best Thanksgiving dishes), Trader Joe’s managed to nail every aspect of the beloved dish. While chips aren’t my usual choice of snacks, I wouldn’t mind munching on these every once in a while. (4/5)
If your family can’t decide on a pumpkin or apple pie to end off your Thanksgiving feast this year, this cozy pastry may be your answer! Filled with a generous amount of pumpkin and apple, these hand pies are nothing short of sweet. However, it is a bit too sweet for my liking, but could make for a nice treat every now and then. (3.5/5)
Extremely similar to the kettle chips, Trader Joe’s seasoned popcorn is filled with the comforting herbs of Thanksgiving stuffing. While it is a bit milder in flavor in comparison to the chips, I admittedly prefer this one just a bit more as I generally like popcorn more than chips! (4/5)
By: Hayden Bunce, Staff Writer
Have you ever wondered who were the ladies behind the chocolate mufn? Well, today you get to meet them as they continuously work incredibly hard to serve you breakfast and lunch daily. Some of these ladies in charge include the lead cook and member of nutrition services; Sianea Langi, Danelle Valenzuela, and the many chefs who help prepare food for students throughout the year. These meals are made fresh each day to provide free meals for every student.
With this, there has been a popular trend where various students get past the one-meal limit. “ I think students need to really understand that they should use their own numbers” Valenzuela adds, “It’s in a way stealing.” With the food being prepared day to day, it’s almost an insult to the cafeteria chefs who are working hard to ensure no student is left hungry. It seems that those who work in the cafeterias get the short end of the stick; especially with their reputation created by their portrayal in the movies.
The trope of the mean lunch lady is constantly presented on screen in high school settings, but is that the case? Long story short, that is not true How does this image make these ladies feel? Langi states, “We smile at the kids and you know we make sure the kids are satisfed with the food.”
The cafeteria chefs care about the students, and they work hard to guarantee their access to breakfast and lunch. It’s important to appreciate those who work to assist others hence “Teacher Appreciation Week,” but what about those who work in the cafeteria?
It’s important to recognize everyone’s hard work and it appears the school does a mighty good job of showing their care and appreciation for all they do.
In addition to talking about appreciation Valenzuela admitted that the administration gives them the credit they deserve as on November 8th, “ they gave us a massage and snacks.”
“When the kids say thank you, when they’re happy with the meal that’s the credit.” - Langi
Acknowledgement is important so don’t forget to say thank you to these wonderful chefs who work day to day for our school.
It’s apparent that working in a cafeteria is flled with many challenges and joyful moments. Make sure to disregard those mean lunch lady misconceptions. If they were so mean they would likely not put in as much efort to make sure you are well-fed to learn as they do now. So, treat every day as if it was teacher appreciation week and thank those who work hard to make sure your education and school experience is successful.
By: Jada Pa, Staff Writer
On October 29th, the WOW Christian Club held its annual Operation Christmas Child packing party, spreading kindness and the Christmas spirit to all. This year, the event was held in front of the auditorium as members of the club gathered to pack necessities and additional products into Christmas presents. These boxes are set to go to less privileged communities, both locally and around the world.
Operation Christmas Child is a Samaritan’s Purse project where volunteers pack shoeboxes with thoughtful gifts for children in need. Dana Yan (11), treasurer of WOW, described the packing process, highlighting how a personal note in each box made the gifts even more special to the recipients. “There’s also a handout you can write about yourself, and then you place that in there. You craft the box to a certain age group and gender,” said Yan.
On these notes packed in each box, the volunteer writes their name, who they are, and where they are from. The president of WOW, Warren Shiu (12), explained the purpose behind these personalized messages. “Whoever receives the gift knows who we are, and they can feel free to reach out to us if they want to write back as pen pals.” This way, the club not only gives back to the community but also connects with all its recipients on a personal level.
The boxes are flled with essentials ranging from personal care items to school supplies as well as Christmas toys to spread holiday cheer to children.
Natalie Lo (11), secretary of the Christian Club, shared what specifc items were packed into the boxes. “This year we got a bunch of donations from the church, and it was toys, hygiene products, and stationery. A bunch of things that those children in need can’t really aford, or they don’t have the privilege to have those things in their life and it goes to them.”
To organize the packing event, Shiu reached out to the local church, which provided the necessary materials. The church holds its own packing event on a larger scale every year, and any surplus items are then shared with the WOW Christian Club. While their church packs about 200 to 300 boxes every year, the club packed around 30 boxes this time and made the most out of the materials received.
“We kind of mirror what they do but on a smaller scale, just for our club,” said Lo. Simultaneously, the club covers the shipping expenses themselves with their club fund, primarily earned during the school food fairs. The money for shipping is then contributed to the church to coordinate with the foundation.
While there is no specifc location that these boxes will go to, boxes from previous years have been received by those who are underprivileged around the world. “I know some get shipped to places in South America, Africa, and some European countries,” said Yan. “Last time when I packed a box, and I got the tracking. It went to somewhere in South America. And then another year it went to somewhere in Korea.”
Altogether, the club’s Operation Christmas Child packing event saw great success this year as far more volunteers had contributed this time around. Next year, the club hopes to improve further by collecting donations so even more boxes can be made for children in need.
Sta Writer
2024 Mills graduate
Jackie Pan shared some of her experiences postgraduation with me during our interview. She talked about what it was like leaving Mills for a new school, what she’s doing right now, what she misses most about high school, and some advice she would give to current students right now. Here’s what she said:
When asked what it was like during and after graduation, she explained, “Graduating Mills was really exciting because I was looking forward to doing new things after living in Millbrae my whole life.” She added, “I mostly miss the community that I had gradually and naturally grown over my four years. Making friends in college is a much more deliberate process compared to high school, although it is still rewarding.”
As for the college she goes to, where she is now, and what she’s doing, Jackie said, “I’m currently attending UCI.”
Continuing her running journey from Mills to Irvine, as she used to run competitively in high school, she shared, “I’m a member of the cross country and track team (though I’m not running due to injury right now) here.” Academically, one of her goals she told me about was her pursuit for a degree in biological sciences.
Finally, as advice to all the students here at Mills goes, she said, “Make the efort to take AP classes and community college classes! They help you fulfll a lot of requirements for college.” Lastly, she shared, ”Going to a large university like UCI has made me realize that Mills has prepared me for college academics. Appreciate Mills as a good academic high school!”
By: Tiayou Lee, Staff Writer
For her work in our Wellness Department, the San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) has granted the October Classifed Golden Apple Award to Nancy Yance Chavez, Mills’ Lead Mental Health Therapist.
“I’m really happy about it. I think receiving the Golden Apple is a meaningful acknowledgement, and it’s not just for me,” Chavez says. “I think it’s also for my team.”
Each month, two members of SMUHSD staf receive the Classifed Golden Apple Award and the Certifed Golden Apple Award respectively through nominations from their colleagues. The last Mills recipient of a Golden Apple Award before Chavez was Katherine Landa, our Accounting Technician, in May.
Nominations for Chavez were led by April Torres, the District Manager of Mental Health. In addition to Torres’s, Chavez received seven other written statements from SMUHSD employees, who include Mills’ Wellness team and School Counselors alongside school admin.
In her submission for Chavez, Mills Wellness Counselor Laura Hahn describes the Lead Therapist as “an irreplaceable fxture” and a “lynchpin” for Wellness and other school departments.
“She really is the glue that holds us all together. And she’s such a lovely woman too,” Hahn says. “She’s so funny and kind and generous. She’s really a pleasure to work with.”
Chavez has worked at SMUHSD since 2006, where she started as an Instructional Assistant at Capuchino High School. She was also a Family Engagement Coordinator and Mental Health Therapist at San Mateo High School before joining Mills’ Wellness department. Currently, this is her second year being a part of the Viking community.
As a Wellness Counselor, she often meets with students whether through drop-ins, teacher referrals, or regular weekly meetings.
By Amelia Naughten, News Editor
This fall, the Mills drama department premiered two one-act plays: Steel Magnolias and the One Act Play that Goes Wrong. This was the frst of its sort to be showcased, as in previous years Mills had always put on a single two-act production. Nevertheless, the plays two diferent styles did not clash and rather ofered the audience a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from grief to laughter.
The decision to put on two plays this year was not an easy one. Joseph Huddleson, Mills English teacher and drama director, explained the unexpected decision, saying, “We have a lot of strong actors that ft well into Steel Magnolias, but it’s got only, you know, it’s only six parts, and they’re all female.”
Set in Louisiana, Steel Magnolias centers around six women and their gossip about everyday life–all of which takes place in Truvy’s hair parlor. The plot follows the women throughout the four seasons, in which they work through various struggles together, such as Shelby’s (the daughter of another lead, M’Lynn Eatenton, and a newly-wed) diabetes, her pregnancy, and ultimate death. The play is a testament to the persisting power of friendship and womanhood when faced with challenges.
set collapses into chaos. The second act of the night was flled with much comedic relief and special efects, giving audiences a night to remember.
Newt Wolter (11), who played Inspector Carter (the lead in the One Act Play that Goes Wrong), described the magic of the play as lying in its spontaneity. Wolter remembered, “My favorite moment was our last performance because a lot of unscripted things happened, it was really silly. And that’s what’s really special about this play particularly–that can happen and it works, and no show will ever be the same …Because we can all work together so well, we pulled it of really well.” Wolter explained that every show contained a healthy amount of improv, even making the actors break character for a bit because of how unexpected some of the humor was.
With this in mind, Huddleson wanted to extend equal opportunities for male actors while expanding the audience’s experience. “I thought, what if we did and it’s kind of sad, so let’s think if we can do one play that’s super silly, and then that play would be like a kind of a tragedy, comedy kind of a night, and people would leave just, just laughing.”
Huddleson’s predictions were not far of. Steel Magnolias provided a more emotionally substantial performance where the audience really got to know each character personally. Especially with the unexpected dark twist at the end of the play, in which Shelby passes after much struggle with receiving medical attention for her diabetes, the One Act Play that Goes Wrong ended the night on a lighter note.
The plot of the second act follows a theater group who puts on a murder mystery, although they are sorely unprepared: members forget lines, props are misplaced, and in the end, most of the
At the same time, featuring two acts of diferent shows also meant that actors who would audition for both plays would face a new challenge. Naia Germain (11), who played Shelby (one of the lead roles in Steel Magnolias) as well as the Director (from the One Act Play that Goes Wrong), explained that although the workload didn’t feel drastically diferent from past Mills plays, it was defnitely a new experience.
Germain commented, “It was defnitely a lot diferent because it’s kind of like you have to make such a big mental switch between the two plays…The accent is diferent, the vibe is diferent, everything is completely diferent. So it’s just weird because you have to do a complete mental 180.”
Germain prepared for her roles by watching flmed productions, specifcally studying how Julia Roberts, who played Shelby in Steel Magnolias, portrayed her character. As her ffth show with Mills, Germain refected on how this time around, her roles extended beyond simply her characters in the play: “As an underclassmen, you’re still kind of learning the ropes and listening to the upperclassmen, but as an upperclassmen, you kind of have to be one of the people directing people and letting them know about the stuf that goes on.” Aside from leading the cast, Germain also helped to direct set builds, in which scenery had to be specifcally engineered to be adaptable to both shows.
by opinions editor janelle pantilon
From spooky skeletons and pumpkins to Christmas icons playing on the aux, lights strung, and towering trees, the festive spirit never leaves. But where’s the bright mood for !anksgiving? November, which falls between these two signi cant holidays, leaves only a short transition from one celebration to the next.
For a while now, Christmas has been considered a beloved holiday, holding a special place in many Americans’ hearts, with !anksgiving as a close second. !e moment the holiday took the stage isn’t clear as both the fall and winter celebrations emerged around similar times. At some point though, many’s attention began shi ing away from !anksgiving and rather focused on all things Christmas.
Junior Khaycee Carreon explains her belief on the !anksgiving spirit fading away, “You don’t really do anything on !anksgiving and I think most look forward to the break.”
As the holiday season approaches, the common question of the right time to decorate for Christmas sparks debate. Some prefer to wait until !anksgiving has passed to bring out the trinkets, but as Christmas has become more mainstream, many embrace the festive spirit earlier on, eager to transform their homes into a winter wonderland right a er October 31st.
Junior Chloe Amayun likes to wait a little and soak in the remainder of the fall season as she says, “I normally begin decorating a er !anksgiving.”
Sophomore Alexa Dunn shares that her family rather enjoys preparing their home early, “I try to nd time a er Halloween but I’m normally busy so whenever I am free.”
!e media has played a vital role in Christmas’ resonance around the word as well. !e range of Hollywood productions and advertisements to activities for all in the community has transformed this time into a highly commercialized holiday. On the contrary, there’s not much attention pointed to !anksgiving festivities nor distinctive traditions for the day aside from those created from people themselves. Stores stock their shelves with trees, lights, Christmas themed foods, and advent calendars as early as October, o$ering a short opportunity for !anksgiving to receive attention. Overall, there’s certainly a correlation between the overall aesthetic of the holidays with their engagement and the masses’ preference. It likely stems from the music or entertainment industry where Christmas is more glamorized and magical whereas that doesn’t apply for !anksgiving. Rather, the day is more straightforward and largely focuses on the food and guests leading up to it; centered around verbally expressing and showing gratitude. While Christmas promotes similar values such as quality time, positivity, and appreciation, there’s an assortment of fun festivities attached to its name which is what possibly drives its attraction. All considered, these two holidays are meant to be a fun time where you can create and carry on traditions with those you love. Regardless of which appeals to you the most, with the year coming to close, embrace all the festivities and bright spirits.
As October ends, and sweet Halloween candy wrappers ll the trash cans, we can always count for a savory feast to follow. Started in 1621, !anksgiving is commonly a family dinner, paired up with a huge meal. On December 11, Governor at the time, Edward Winslow of the Plymouth Colony, wanted to attract more colonists, which lead him to writing a letter, promoting a three day feast, for both the settlers of Plymouth and people from the Wampanoag Tribe.During this meal, many foods were served and greatly-eaten. Such foods include the iconic turkey, stu ng, gravy, sweet potatoes, cornbread, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauces; all of which are seen today in most !anksgiving meals. And as this celebration has grown more recognized overtime, Winslow’s letter has become more digital, with various lms coming out about !anksgiving. A classic example of this is the one and only movie that is A Charlie Brown !anksgiving.Created by Charles M. Schulz, A Charlie Brown !anksgiving was released on November 20, 1973. It was the third holiday special in the Charlie Brown cinematic universe, coming a er A Charlie Brown Christmas, which was released back in 1965, and It’s the Great Pumpkin in 1966. Released right a er the Vietnam War, it has a bittersweet origin. Critically acclaimed, the Charlie Brown !anksgiving special has won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children’s Programming and was also nominated for the outstanding Children’s Special, which it ultimately didn’t win. !is lm starts off showing Charlie Brown, the main character in Peanuts, preparing to spend !anksgiving with his family at the house of his grandmother. He decides to call his friend, Peppermint Patty, who invites herself to go along with Charlie, even asking her father for permission to leave town. Bestowing herself as the new found host of the dinner, Patty further invites her friends Marcie and Franklin. When Charlie Brown nds out about Peppermint Patty’s action, he grows confused, con ding in his friend Linus for advice.
On November 15th, the Mills PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) organized and held their rst ever Mills Vikings’ Potluck in the cafeteria to get into the !anksgiving spirit, with more than 50 parents and families in attendance.
!ose who attended were encouraged to bring their favorite or cultural dish that they would like to share with others.
!ere was a lot of food at the potluck including chips and salsa, cheese and crackers tray, and chickpea salad for appetizers. Lumpia, chicken wings, vegetarian spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce, chicken potstickers, and pizzas were served as main dishes. Additionally, crepes, See’s Candy, butter mochi, mango sago, and maja blanca were desserts some families brought to the feast.
!e Mills Administration, along with volunteering families helped make this event happen. !roughout the night, volunteers helped with setup, distributing drinks, and cleanup a er the event commenced.
!ere was a signup form for people bringing appetizers, desserts, Halal dishes, Kosher dishes, and a dish or casserole with and without meat. !is form allows there to be more of a variety of foods for people to eat and enjoy.
!e purpose of this potluck was to create a sense of community, belonging, and celebrate di$erent cultural traditions and backgrounds, illuminating the diversity between the students and the families of Mills. Moreover, this event also was to promote the annual funds for the school.
“!e purpose of the Potluck is twofold - the rst is to build community through food and sharing culture. We’ll have student groups performing that evening - the Dragon Team, the Latina Mentor Program Folklorico Dance Group, members from our Mills Choir, and a Mills quartet, ” said Joy Pasamonte Henry, the Mills PTO President. She added, “!e second is to promote the Mills Annual Fund, which helps fund additional programs at Mills, helps our student groups, and teachers with classroom material or eld trips. Our Annual Fund goal is $100,000 by December 31, 2024. Every dollar counts!”
!e potluck was something new that they added this year and wanted to test out.
!is will be the rst year for the Vikings Potluck. In the past, the Mills PTO has hosted Mills Mania and also co-hosted Mills Got Talent with Mr. Gregoric and his music class. Unfortunately, family attendance the past few years has been low so we wanted to try something new.” said PTO President Henry.
I brie y spoke with Principal Duszynski on her thoughts on this new potluck.
She shared, “I think it’s really important for our parents and our community to come together to make friends, get to know one another…now is the time to get to know each other a little bit more and for parents to make connections with one another. So that they can support each other, share information, share tips about how to support their students, and just be in community.”
She then added, “So one of our goals is to create an inclusive environment where everybody feels welcome and everybody feels connected. !e potluck is an opportunity to do that so it’s an open place where anybody can come and feel like you know they can make a connection to the world and other people in the Mills community.”
I also spoke with numerous people who attended the potluck including students, parents, and their families. !ere was a lot of positive feedback from them and everyone loved the event. !ey really enjoyed the food and student performances.
Senior Matthew Situ (12), spoke on how he felt when he walked into the cafeteria, “When I walked in, I heard the dragon dance music. !at was pretty cool and it was still a little empty. But it is brightened up. It was a good amount of people here, not too much so it’s not too busy. I think it’s a pretty successful turnout.”
Situ then added saying,”I see a lot of di$erent students and parents of di$erent culture and ethnic backgrounds and us all joining together is very nice to see. It’s a great place to learn about di$erent cultural foods, but also talking to other people at my school. I think more people should just come out here and participate.”
Sophomore Aidan McAllister (10), expressed, “I think that by holding an event, it tends to bring people together because events tend to be more like encouraging for people come outside and interact with other people. I think that in general it is the ultimate connector, so I think that’s one of the main ways that helps for sure.”
Phuong Tran, parent and Mills PTO Communications Chair Member shared, “My daughter is a freshman so I’m new to the school. I don’t know a lot of parents…I’m a little nervous that I don’t know anybody, but everyone’s been really nice. I got to meet some new parents tonight.”
She also added a very unique parent perspective on the student performances saying, “Oh, those were fun, those were really fun. I think especially as a parent, you don’t really get to see all the di$erent clubs at school and what they do…Otherwise, I wouldn’t know any of it.”
By Staffwriter, Meagan So
-1 cup margarine/ butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose our
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Asweet recipe I personally would recommend is one I have used multiple times as an easy, delicious treat for family and friends to enjoy. !ey are vanilla sugar/ shortbread cookies, which are perfect for any holiday and maintain their shapes in the oven and you can cut them into anything you’d like, such as turkeys, pilgrims, and more.
1. Cream together the margarine/ butter, sugar and eggs.
2. Stir in vanilla, our, baking soda and salt
3. Roll out (not too thin) and cut into any shape.
4. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8 minutes. (!e dough comes out slightly sticky, so you can add a small pinch of our on your surface, hands and dough, but you will be tempted to add more, DON’T. !is reduces the avor and changes the cookie texture.)
1. sauté the onion
2. in a pot add the butternut squash pieces, onion, and chicken stock
3. Boil for around 30 minutes or until everything so ens.
4. Blend it with an electric or hand blender. Enjoy with sour cream and saltine crackers!
Kara Cheung (9), explained what her family’s !anksgiving dinners are like. She shared, “On !anksgiving, we do eat a kind of normal, traditional !anksgiving dinner, but my mom will also make seasoned brussel sprouts and this really good butternut squash soup.”
-1 chopped butternut squash - 1 diced onion - 2 cans of chicken stock
With the smell of roasting turkey, seasoned ng, mashed potatoes and gravy wa ing in the air as !anksgiving slowly approaches, families and friends gather to celebrate the festive holiday and spend time together. Each groups traditions and routines are all di$erent in their own unique way, especially when it comes to their recipes. Here are some ideas in case you’re looking for new food recipes for !anksgiving this year.
“Making bread is a lot easier than people think it is So I think that if kids, or high schoolers, could take an easy bread recipe [like these pumpkin bites and] it would impress [their families while still being] really easy ” -Ms.Hulse
M- 4 tbsp butter
- ¾ C brown sugar
- 1 ¼ C our
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ C pumpkin puree
- ½ egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ C powdered sugar
- 1 tsp milk
- ½ tsp pumpkin puree
s. Hulse, the food and nutrition teacher, shared some of her favorite dishes she and her family make and eat celebrating their !anksgiving in Seattle. !ese include a delicious cranberry and orange sauce along with stu ng with sage, croutons, celery, and dried fruit. A recipe she recommends for students to try are pumpkin bread bites, which are bread pieces with a pumpkin avor twist to it.
1. Preheat the oven to 350 deg F.
2. Place butter in a small saucepan on medium heat and stir constantly until it becomes a dark brown color and smells nutty. Transfer into a metal mixing bowl and swirl to cool.
3. Add brown sugar to butter and whisk until combined.
4. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla extract to butter mixture and whisk until smooth.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Combine our, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl.
7. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
8. Line the baking tray with parchment and use a small cookie scoop to scoop dough onto the tray.
9. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are rm.
10. Whisk together the glaze ingredients. Fill a spoon with glaze and drizzle over the cooled bites. Dust the glazed bites with cinnamon. ENJOY!
Isabelle Yang Sports Editor
Mills High School has around 70 ofcial clubs organized by students, teachers, and staf members. Clubs ofer the Mills community a place to socialize and interact with others who share similar interests, creating spaces to foster relationships and experience fun activities. Whether it’s giving students opportunities to develop life skills or a chance to destress at school, club culture relies on student participation.
Recently, some students have noticed changes in club culture. To some students, clubs feel less present and have infrequent events and meetings. Other club organizers have observed that members aren’t attending consistently. Does this mean club culture is slowly fading away?
Zurine Cheng (12), co-president of Card Express and United Nations Association, reasons there may be too many clubs for the student population. Her clubs hold meetings weekly; Card Express focuses on handwriting cards to deliver, while the United Nations Association hosts workshops to partner with refugee organizations.
With only about 1100 students and over 70 ofcial clubs, events often confict with other clubs’ activities. “There are so many clubs that operate
every day – over 15 clubs that operate every day and have lunch meetings,” Cheng states. “It is hard to recruit members and make them consistently come to our meetings just because there’s a variety of clubs and not a lot of students.”
Noelle Young (11), president of Karaoke Club, realizes that the attendance for her club has been less this year. As her club is purely a fun distraction for students, she believes students have found other clubs more important. “Most of the people who used to come last year that aren’t able to come this year had their own clubs they started, or they have other clubs the same day that they prioritize now,” Young says.
Additionally, Collin Chen (11), president of Caring for Cancer, explains how school is ultimately more demanding than clubs, which means students may not prioritize club events over school assignments. “I think [clubs and school] are about the same [priority], but one is school, so sometimes – like assignments – you can’t be missing those because you get punished.” Unlike schools, clubs are built of students’ drive to be involved in their community, meaning there won’t be consequences when standards aren’t met.
As classes graduate and members change, the environment in clubs shifts as well. “If
you have a club and you have this group of people that show up, you have fun with them every time. But then they graduate, or they stop coming, and the spirit of the club kind of dies if you don’t have the same people bringing the same energy,” describes Young.
To persuade students to keep coming to meetings, club organizers must market and engage their members properly. Caring for Cancer, Card Express, and the United Nations Association give members community service hours to attract students and encourage participation. Karaoke Club occasionally incorporates themed meetings to add structure and make activities more engaging. Lastly, providing food can entice members to attend and enjoy their time at the events.
Overall, all interviewees strive to provide an open and welcoming environment for others. “Having a really open and inclusive environment is really helpful to ensure that
Abigail Chai Center Spread Editor
J
ust three days before the highlycontested election, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris made a quick stop in New York City for one of her fnal campaign events of the year. However, it wasn’t for a self-hosted rally flled with her most devoted supporters, but instead, for a surprise appearance on NBC’s hit show Saturday Night Live (SNL). Starring alongside comedian Maya Rudolph, her cameo on the show elicited a myriad of laughter and applause from the audience- as well as a stream of surprise and criticism from internet goers. Albeit an unexpected and somewhat peculiar campaign strategy on Harris’s part, SNL’s deep-rooted history in the American political scene makes her appearance just a bit more understandable.
Since its debut in the mid-1970s, SNL has never shied away from the contentious topic of politics, kicking of every episode with a political cold-open sketch, sprinkling in the occasional joke during the Weekend Update segment, and impersonating several of the country’s leaders, politics is just another comedic staple to SNL. However, the level of political content runs especially rampant during election season, when the show typically tends to draw in more attention - and controversy - than usual.
Frequently mocking both sides of the presidential race, SNL uses its talented cast members to deliver
over-the-top impersonations of the candidates, frequently exaggerating their personalities to a nearly absurd extent. And despite their at-times nasty depictions of those running the country, numerous of the actual politicians have made their way onto the show. Harris’s recent appearance was no unique case, as back in 2015, Trump hosted his own episode amidst his presidential run against Hilary Clinton. While these appearances and impersonations make for tons of viral-worthy sketches and shoot the show on the front page of social media sites, not all viewers fnd the humor in SNL’s content.
Increasingly deemed “unfunny,” SNL often now attracts more criticism than laughter. Whether it be for insensitive or dull jokes, many of their sketches have gone viral for seemingly all the wrong reasons. Senior Warren Shiu, who regularly watches SNL, admits that the show has admittedly gone downhill over the past few years. “You either laugh really hard, or you don’t laugh at all.” he stated. Nonetheless, the show has continued to amass enough views to stay on the air for over the past 40 years, regardless of its fuctuating quality of content.
Besides what people think of the show, SNL plays an important role in exposing American audiences to real-world political issues and has even found its way into some of Mills’ curricula. For instance, social sciences teacher Mr. Lira used one of SNL’s most recent sketches in his AP Government classes when teaching about media bias in political campaigns. The sketch, which parodied a recent interview Harris had on Fox News, mocked both presidential candidates, as well as current president Joe Biden. When explaining how to turn such an over-top and exaggerated video into a lesson, Lira stated that you should “cover the event frst from both sides and then explain what satire is.” So, while a sketch-comedy show may not be the most conventional way to educate students, it can make for a useful resource when paired with other factual elements.
Despite the 2024 election season coming to a close, rest assured that SNL will continue to
Amidst the months of cold weather and fnal exams, the end of daylight saving time (DST) in early November lets the clock ofcially “fall back,” cutting our afternoons short and ushering in yet another dim and dreary winter. However, when spring rolls around, we can count on DST to jump in and push the clock an hour beyond standard time, extending daylight well into the evening.
This extra hour of sunlight feels like a gift, adding what seems like an extra hour to the day. It’s this added time and rejuvenation that makes DST so valuable, and it’s exactly why the United States should make the permanent switch to DST.
As a high school student, I rely heavily on the hours of afternoon sunlight to spend time with friends, be active outside, or simply enjoy the evening without feeling cut for time. But, when DST ends and premature darkness overtakes any remaining daylight beyond 5 p.m., I fnd it much more difcult to get tasks done in the afternoon.
I’m not alone in this sentiment. Student Ari Kurita (11) said, “When the sun goes down earlier, I feel like I have less time in my day to be productive or be outside.” In fact, Kurita calls the end of DST “the worst time of the year.”
“I just feel more lazy and less productive,” he said, “When it’s bright outside, I feel like I have a lot more energy.”
Kalyssa Chu Writer
health and increased productivity.
Still, not everyone is convinced. Senior Haylee Yuan, for instance, doesn’t see the appeal of extra daytime. “Sure, you can do more [with the sun out], but you can also sleep more with an extra hour of darkness,” she pointed out.
Yuan, who prefers an earlier sunset, is opposed to a permanent DST, echoing a common argument that extra darkness aligns our internal clocks and supports a healthy sleep schedule. “[Having no DST] makes me sleep earlier since it’s darker, and that really helps me wake up on time,” Yuan said.
However, even with the argument against it, at least 10 U.S. states in 2023 passed measures pledging to switch to a permanent DST. Additionally, the U.S. Senate is actively pushing the “Sunshine Protection Act” to make DST permanent across most of the country. However, federal law prohibits states from enacting a permanent DST, so the status of these measures is currently up to Congressional approval.
Ultimately, the choice to cement DST is about more than simply “saving” time; it is about enhancing how we spend that time. Many students, like me, rely on DST’s extra hour of daylight to boost their moods, get outside, and connect with others...
Hayden Bunce Staff Writer
Picture this sushi glory hole. Saturday Night Live Alumni Andy Samberg, also known for his role as Jake Peralta on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, is in a comedy music group that has been dropping hits since 2001. In this current season of Saturday Night Live, we have seen the return of “The Lonely Island” with two new songs, Sushi Glory Hole and I Report You to the Cops.
This is the perfect combination for someone who loves to laugh and music. Although I acknowledge “The Lonely Island” is less popular than the Domingo Saga, the songs are just as catchy. These new songs are “The Lonely Island’s” return to music since 2019, so of course, I love these songs. Sushi Glory Hole is a business pitch of being fed Sushi through a hole in the wall in a bathroom, changing what a specifc hole in the wall is used for. This is just one of the many examples of phenomenal comedy writing in The Sandman (Andy Samberg).
Most of “The Lonely Island’s” songs use comedy to catch you of guard and make you laugh, so most of the lyrics are pretty obscene as this lyric from “threw it on the ground, “My girlfriend hands me a cellphone says it’s my dad, this ain’t my dad this is a cellphone, so I threw it on the ground.” “The Lonely Island” hasn’t ended their comeback, as in the most recent episode, in which they featured Charli Xcx in “I report you to the cops.” I would be scared to step on Andy Samberg’s lawn after this song, considering he is itching to call the cops on you if you let your dog pee on his lawn. This song can be considered a snitch’s anthem. With “The Lonely Island’s” appearance in season 50, I hope this can introduce many others to the brilliance of “The Lonely Island.”
Varsity girls volleyball went 9-5 in their league and finished fourth.
Varsity boys water polo went 5-5 and finished fourth in their league.
Varsity girls water polo went 6-8 and finished fifth in their league.
Varsity girls tennis went undefeated in league and were PAL champions.
Varsity girls cross country placed second at PALs and went to CIF State CIF State Championships.
Varsity boys cross country finsihed third in their league and
went to CIF State Championships.
Varsity girls golf went 4-3, finished third in league, and continued on to PALs.
Varsity flag football went 9-2 this season.
Varsity football went 2-6 in their league and finished seventh.
Emily Wu Staff Writer
With an undefeated record of 14-0, the Mills girls’ tennis team wrapped up their season at the top of the Ocean Division. Getting their final score wasn’t easy, as it tested their performance, determination, and preparation.
Team captain, Natalie Cheng (11) reflected on the team’s past years. “I feel like we’ve definitely improved a lot because in the past seasons, we definitely were not as good, and it was definitely a struggle in our division.” However, this season was a turning point and the team showed remarkable progress. Cheng added, “But it’s really cool to see how much the team has grown since [the beginning of the season] thanks to the help from our coaches.”
Bringing in 11 freshmen onto the team was a challenge, but the results were better than expected. Maya Dolmage-Heath (9) shared, “It was very exciting, I didn’t know it would go that well and I think it’s a very great accomplishment to be able to end up with such a good score.”
As a result of their hard work, the team was able to qualify for PALs individual and doubles. The other team captain, Kylie Huynh (11) announced that the team’s dedication to improve showed their ability to succeed. “I’m really proud of them. I think our team was overall really successful, and everybody’s extremely supportive of each other and being able to qualify for PALs individuals just showcases that our team is getting stronger and stronger.”
Sophia Lee (9) also expressed,“...our team was really good, but I didn’t think that our scores would end up like how they are.” Her comment reflects her achievements and joy shared by the freshmen, who exceeded their own expectations.
Looking ahead into next season, Huynh is positive about the team’s potential. “I do think next year will be better, especially because this year we were PAL champions for Ocean Division and so we’re moving up next year. It will definitely be a challenge, because we’re going up against harder schools.” It’s an exciting opportunity to prove their strength and build on their success.
Adding onto this, Cheng said “...I feel like, as more time passes, we’ll just grow even more, and we’ll just improve more, and especially since we’re moving up to the upper division next year, it’s gonna need a lot more commitment.”
Huynh emphasized how communication and unity sets a strong foundation for future seasons to both returning and new members. She noted, “I think we had a really good season this year, everybody put in a lot of effort into the games, everybody was really consistent with staying committed to the team, and the teamwork has been great this year.”
Andres Luis Makilan Staff Writer
As the fall sports season comes to an end and winter sports tryouts begin to emerge, the Girls Golf team reflect on their seasons and for what’s to come.
Throughout the season, they have worked hard
and competed to the best of their abilities to reach PALs. At the end of the regular season, the team finished 4-3, allowing a third place finish in their division, which was enough to make PALs. “I thought it was pretty cool to make PALs,” says Girls Golf team member Angelina Chen (11).
this season going 14-0. Mia Khan, the only senior on the tennis team, mentioned, “It was so fun. There was so much food and we had karaoke, and it was just like, I had an amazing time. I never thought my senior night would be so much fun.”
The Mills Girls Golf Team has had an incredible season, having two of their players place top 10 in PALs. They haven’t had their senior night yet but Morgan Nguyen, a graduating player on the golf team mentioned that she is excited for her senior night, loving their team’s closeness and camaraderie.
Swimming is a sport some are into with the spirit of competitiveness. The Mills Girls Varsity Water Polo Team’s very own senior, Morgan Chu says, “My senior night was really fun. I’m really thankful for all the underclassmen and the juniors who made it special and I’ll remember it for a long time.” Alongside that, Warren Shiu from the Boys Varsity Water Polo Team added “My senior night was a lot of fun. Even though my team lost our game, the parents, families, and friends that came out for every athlete were amazingly supportive during the game.
The team parents poured out extra effort by assembling gifts for the players, such as a towel with their names on it and candy necklaces.”
Another fun sport to watch during the fall season are the Mills Girls Volleyball games. The games give a great overview of teamwork on the court. Isabelle Yang (12) commented on her senior night saying, “My teammates made my senior night super fun and special. Even though it was definitely bittersweet
She elaborated on her answer, saying that the team has gone every other year, but this year the team had made it with all of the team members being able to go. She continued, saying,“It was really nice to play a championship round with the whole team and all the girls.”
It wasn’t all about the
an individual event, and individual events mean individual performances. The team had an all around feeling of improvement following the regular season, with team member Kayli Tsang (11) saying that she “dropped lots of scores,” but also feeling like that there is room for
member Katie Chun (11) agreed with the sentiment, stating,“The second half, I hadn’t played the back line since last year, so no practice. I did pretty bad, but I did improve.”
Usually, it’s common practice to have a game plan coming into such an important event. For
Challenging, rewarding, and awesome—those are three words senior Alexis Franco uses to describe his sport.
As a varsity wrestling captain, Franco has dealt with many unique challenges. For one, Mills is short for a coach and juggling combined practices with Burlingame High School. Additionally, with weight class playing an important factor in wrestling, Franco must always ensure he’s maintaining or cutting weight, which he claims takes “a huge physical toll” on his body.
Yet, as he grapples through adversity, Franco maintains a level-headed mindset that shifts his idea of success beyond victory, keeping him grounded through competition.
“No matter what you compete in…it doesn’t really matter if you lose,” Franco stated, “A real loser is someone who didn’t try in the first place.”
Franco believes that the importance of what you do lies in the attempt made and hopes others can internalize that same mindset.
“Even if it’s not said on a certificate award, you can’t really say that you’ve lost anything,” said Franco.
Chun (11), it’s the opposite. “Oh, I never have a plan when it comes to golf.” She continues, saying that her “plan” was to make the match a pressure-less environment and to just have fun, as she herself said that she performs better in low pressure situations rather than high pressure ones.
The team shares a sense of accomplishment from this season, but their sights are already set on what’s next. “I think we made a lot of progress this year, so I’m satisfied with the season overall,” Chen (11) says. “But I think the next year will be even better, and I hope PALs, especially next year, will go better.”
At 8:00 AM on October 16th, 2024, Tyler,the Creator teased his eighth studio album Chromokopia with a mysterious clip. In the video, shadowed figures marched in line, following Tyler’s footsteps. Fans quickly began speculating about the meaning behind the teaser, flooding social media with their theories, which helped build anticipation for the singer’s return to music after a two-year hiatus. Just 12 days later, Tyler surprised fans by releasing the album, keeping them from waiting too long for his next musical drop. This bold teaser was just the beginning of what Tyler had in store for fans.
Chromokopia has a strong lineup of collaborators, like thenewly retired Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) and the lyrical genius, Daniel Caesar. Mills High junior Ari Kurita shared his enthusiasm for the album’s variety of features, especially highlighting the track “Sticky”. “I like how there were so many features on the album. ‘Sticky,’ with three collaborators, really stood out to me,” Kurita said. “GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne all bring something different to the track.” The album’s genre range in hip-hop, rap, and smooth R&B all showcase Tyler’s skill at fusing sounds into something entirely new. The excitement wasn’t just about Tyler’s return - his choice of collaborators brought even more buzz. The return of the artists sent many fans into overdrive as each genre of music got its time in the limelight. From rap to
hip-hop, soulful R&B, Chromokopia offers up a mixed bag, showing how Tyler can blend genres and still come up with something on his own. Along with the high-profile features, Chromokopia showcases Tyler’s growth as an artist. Tyler reaches new heights of experimentation on Chromokopia, pushing boundaries alongside his Grammy-winning 2019 album “Igor”. He blends electronic beats with hiphop lyrics, experimenting with diverse sounds throughout. For example in “Noid,” Tyler incorporates the late Zambian artist Paul Ngozi’s song “Nizakupanga Ngzo,” mixing it with loud electronic beats and fast-paced rap lyrics.
In contrast, “Take Your Mask Off,” featuring Daniel Caesar, brings the vibe down, allowing Tyler to reflect on personal relationships. The song calls for people to “take their mask off” and stop hiding behind facades, as Tyler urges them to embrace authenticity. Listeners have found their own favorites on the album, with certain tracks standing out for their emotional resonance.
Other songs have also become fan favorites, such as the tranquil “Judge Judy,” freshman Hagan Chan finds it most soothing. “In ‘Judge Judy,’ the beats and lyrics just come together in a way that’s calming,” Chan said.
Although many are fans for this new album and Tyler, the Creator in general, some are unimpressed due to his style of music. Senior Tyler Ngo shared his perspective, saying, “I think a lot of his music is more sounds and beats than actual lyrics. When I listen to music, I love listening to what the lyrics say, what they mean, and the meaning behind the lyrics. So I think Tyler, the Creator just doesn’t fit my style.”about it online, especially for how Tyler pulls from so many genres, adding layers to his unique
sound. Tyler’s style keeps evolving, moving from his early work to the genre-blending and experimental style that’s become his signature. He is still creating music that feels new but stays true to the way he’s always pushed boundaries.
Overall, Chromokopia keeps Tyler’s creative journey going. It’s bold and true to his style, with something for almost everyone - even if it’s not everybody’s style.
From the YouTube video: ST. CHROMA
Noah Ung Staff Writer
The term “artist” is diverse, encompassing not only painters and illustrators but also musicians. This raises the question: what does it truly mean to be an artist? To explore this, we take a closer look at the life of Kameron Fung, a senior at Mills High School whose passion for drumming highlights the unique experiences and challenges faced by student artists.
“My artistic style is free, flowing, and light,” Fung shares, describing how his approach to drumming has evolved over time. Through years of dedication and experimentation, he has learned to play with more color, utilizing every part of the drum set and mastering dynamic changes in volume to breathe life into each piece. The result is a versatile style that
enhances the music and adds depth to every performance.
When asked about his inspirations, Fung explains that he doesn’t draw solely from drummers. “My inspirations for my work come from watching and appreciating other great musicians, not just drummers, and studying how their styles shape a song. Then, I try to pick out small elements of their style and integrate them into mine.” This process of learning from others and blending styles helps keep his playing fresh and continually evolving. His passion isn’t fueled solely by famous musicians—close members of his music community and Mills’ music teacher, David Gregoric, also play pivotal roles in his growth. “Mr. G is an extremely knowledgeable man who teaches me so much about different types of music,” Fung notes.
Learning a new piece is a complex process that goes beyond simple practice. “Typically, when learning a new piece, I need to know what style we’re playing and then adapt to that. For example, if we’re playing a rock tune, I wouldn’t want to play softly and light as if I were playing a ballad,” Fung explains. After establishing the style, the band collaborates, sharing their vision and tweaking parts of the song to reflect their individual playing styles. It’s a challenging but rewarding process, full of trial and error.
is no small feat. “The way to balance this with my school life is to prioritize school first, then music. Still, among all my other extracurriculars, music is the priority,” Fung shares. This requires meticulous planning, with schedules and calendars ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. “Once it’s locked in as my priority, it becomes a part of my regular schedule and doesn’t feel any more stressful than it would for someone without extracurriculars—it’s just more fulfilling.”
As much as music brings a sense of accomplishment to his life, Fung acknowledges the personal struggles that come with being an artist. “The most challenging aspect of being an artist so far is thinking that I’m not enough as a musician, and that my progress isn’t consistent enough,” Fung admits. Overcoming self-doubt requires reflection and perspective, a challenge many artists face throughout their journeys. When these thoughts arise, Fung reflects on his achievements so far. “I really just have to sit back and realize how far I’ve come since my freshman year and relate that same feeling to how others may feel about their hobbies, knowing I’m not alone,” he states.
Despite these challenges, Fung’s dedication to his craft remains unwavering. Music isn’t just an extracurricular—it’s a passion that has shaped his identity and fostered a sense of community and purpose.