Volume 63, Issue 5, February 14, 2023

Beloved P.E. Teacher Ms. Tiziani Departs

Katelyn Lam Editor-in-ChiEf

Mills is saying farewell to Ms. Tiziani, our beloved P.E. teacher of 15 years. While she’s sad to end a wonderful decade-and-a-half of Viking spirit, Ms. Tiziani is excited for a new start closer to home.

Of course, even at a new school, P.E will always be her passion, and she looks forward to continuing.

Ms. Tiz has offcially left Mills as of January 13 and will now be working at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, only about a 10 minute commute from her home compared to the hour long one way drive it took to get to Mills. She explained she “didn’t even have to get on the freeway, it would be like driving from Millbrae to Burlingame.” It was a big decision for her to change schools, but the commute was just too long, carving precious time out of her already busy schedule.

As an adult, she “can’t change her family or job”, but she can change her work location. By transferring schools, she’s able to get two hours back a day to spend with her family instead of spending that time commuting back and forth between home and Mills. Ms. Tiz currently lives in Sausalito so her new school is just one city over. It was a “big decision but now I can have more balance in life”. She thought it over long and hard and fnally decided the move was worth it. Although she won’t be teaching at Mills any-

more, she’ll “always love Mills and the community” she’s found here.

Ms. Tiz has had an amazing time at Mills. Having students be a part of her life, watching her get married and have two kids, she’s “gr[own] a lot and experienced lots of life events. it’s gonna be hard to leave here”. This has been a really special time in her life that she says she’ll never forget. As hard as it is

for her to leave, it is equally hard for Mills to lose such a crucial part of our faculty. The tales and stories of Ms. Tiziani being a scary, kind P.E. teacher have been passed on through generations, and her absence will surely be felt by all. Her fellow P.E teacher Mr. Moss explained how “instrumental [she was] in helping myself and [and other P.E teachers] get comfortable”

and how her computer knowledge helped their department get stronger.

And when asked what she’s going to miss the most, Ms. Tiz said the students. In the past 15 years, she’s had hundreds of students pass through, with many having siblings come through the same locker rooms. For her, meeting parents was always really special, and she’s gotten to see so many kids

grow up and come back to visit. Her replacement, at least for the rest of the year, is Olatunji Dean. Mr. Dean has shadowed her classes and she appreciates the effort he’s put in to interact with the kids. When he frst came, he introduced himself and explained that he would do his best to ease them through the transition, putting everyone’s minds at ease. Her kids have defnitely enjoyed his enthusiasm for the class and his background in sports has made him a hit among the students. Ms. Tiz is looking forward to “continuing to do the good P.E work” and a much shorter commute! She looks forward to more time in her day to spend with her kids (or just by herself). Mills will be different without Ms.Tiz, and it’s clear from the number of students who have stopped by to say bye that she was loved and will never be forgotten. As she said, “I appreciate all the opportunities that I’ve had with my time at Mills and I appreciate and love the students and staff”. And everyone appreciates her too. The work Ms. Tiz has put into the success of her students is not one taken for granted. Mr. Moss stated that she “knew her subject and knew it well.” and it was “hard to fnd good quality people like her”. Her time here at Mills has made a huge impact on hundreds of students’ lives, leaving a lasting legacy, and hopefully her future students will appreciate her as much as we miss her! Have a wonderful time at your new school Ms. Tiz and don’t forget to visit!

The Effect of Mass Shootings on Students

Tazu Luisi Staff WritEr

The recent mass shootings in Los Angeles and Half Moon Bay, both targeting the Asian-American community, have left a profound impact on the students at Mills High School, a predominantly Asian-American school. These events have sparked fear and frustration among many, as students attempt to grapple with these horrifc incidents and the lack of action by the government, with both shootings so close to home. As I was in the midst of writing this article, President Biden in his recent state of the union address called for a ban on all assault weapons. This call for action comes in response to the recent mass shootings in Los Angeles and Half Moon Bay,

which targeted the Asian-American community. However, given how divided American politics have been as of late, a president calling for something this ambitious is no guarantee it will happen.

Kelly Kuang (12), a fellow student at Mills High School, shared her thoughts on the matter, saying “Shootings are horrible and terrifying. It scares me to think that children have to go through this and that it can happen to us.” Kuang believes that changes can be made to protect citizens and children, but she is disappointed by the lack of action taken by government leaders to address gun violence. “It’s very disappointing that gun violence just keeps going on even after so many events have already happened and the government is still not assuring that there is maximum security, es-

pecially at schools,” she says. While students don’t want metal detectors and armed guards at every door, it’s easy to feel like Mills is unsafe with its somewhat lax security, given the infux of mass shootings targeting High Schools and Asian Americans.

Tristan Lee (12), another student at Mills High School, echoes Kuang’s concerns. “As an Asian-American, I empathize a lot with the people who were targeted and attacked,” Lee says. “I know this sort of thing is very out of depth for a lot of people, especially in Asian or Chinese communities, and I feel for the families dealing with the aftermath.” Lee is also disheartened by the lack of action by government leaders in addressing gun violence. “The lack of action by government leadership is really disconcerting to me. They don’t

see gun violence as a problem they need to be worried about,” he says.

In light of these events, many of us are grappling with our own thoughts and feelings about gun control. Lee says, “I think good, well-regulated gun control is important. But at the same time, I’d like to be able to protect myself if anything happens, so I don’t support banning all guns.” Kuang adds, “Gun violence that happens due to racism is absolutely unforgivable and scary. If my community becomes the target, I most defnitely will fght for equality and safety.”

The fear of future shootings has also made the transition into adulthood a daunting one for many of us. Lee refects, “Going into adulthood feels really concerning in the context of shootings. I feel like if your life is always at risk, then

it’s really diffcult to go about living life like everything’s normal.”

These recent mass shootings have left an impact on the students at our school, and serve as a reminder of the need for better protection at our schools, more preventive measures against getting a gun, and stricter gun control in general, as well as support for those affected by gun violence. Despite our fear and disappointment, I know many in our generation remain determined to fght for our safety, the recent events have left many with a heavy heart, but they have also shown us the importance of coming together as a community to support one another and bring about change. Hopefully, our government leaders will follow suit and take action to address gun violence and ensure the safety of all citizens.

KATelYN lAm: THe THuNDeRbolT

MS. TIZIANI: Ms. Tiziani poses for a picture with freshman students in PE class.

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Middle College: What is It?

mICHAelA goNZAleZ opinionS Editor

AlthoughMiddle College is offered to Mills students, as well as students across the San Mateo District, very little is known about the program to the majority of students. With recent presentations beinggiven to rising juniors at all SMUHSD high schools, the question of “What exactly is Middle College” often arises among students.

To put it simply, Middle College is an alternative path of education that involves spending the fnal 2 years of high school at College of San Mateo, earning credits.The College of San Mateo (CSM) and Skyline College both offer Middle College programs for sophomores, but a large majority of Mills students choose to apply to the CSM program. This alternative education program selects about 100 sophomores from across the district to participate in the program and complete their high school graduation requirements while also getting a headstart on college and their potential future career. According to their website, the program claims that Middle College students will, “...pursue rigor-

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of this curriculum is the small community, consisting of about 200 students and 10 faculty members. Compared to the enormous student body of about 1,200 students at typical high school such as Mills, this is very shocking to many sophomores. Yet, Mills junior Shannah Kwan (11) shares, “I would say the envi-

reer exploration was a deciding factor in their decision to apply.

Students can take advantage of a range of free college courses such as Astrology, Music History, or Microbiology. Junior Owen Block (11) from Aaragon who is in Music History shares, “The professors are so cool, andI love that I am able to

gram is not applicable to everyone. Many teachers talk of students that came back to their home school from Middle College. Students may not feel as supported as they would from their home community, or they may miss the high school events such as rallies or food fairs. With that, some may not like the same three classes everyday with the same people. In comparison, many interested students are scared of taking a leap and leaving their friends from home school to come to Middle College. Junior Marian Lopez from San Mateo states, “Even though it was hard, I enjoy the career and college opportunities of the program and getting to know my classmates.”

ous, collegiate coursework while fostering connections between their Middle College community, the larger CSM community, and their greater local and global community.”

An important defning aspect

Infux

Phoebe Piserchio EntErtainmEnt Editor

ronment is more welcoming than a typical high school classroom. To me, having 3 classes/hours a day with the same 30 people who you will naturally and unexpectedly become friends with is better than having 7 classes a day with different

take college classes before actual college. Although the curriculum may be diffcult sometimes, the environment is overall a better high school for me, personally.” Aside from the free college credits, Juniors and seniors in Middle College, as well as potential sophomores, take a liking to the delicious cafeteria, a mature yet liberal college environment, and the ability to meet new friends in a tight-knit community.

Yet, like many things, this pro-

This month the program is offering Shadow days for interested sophomores to tour the campus of CSM and learn more about the inner workings of the community and a day in the life of a typical junior. A group of fve to six sophomores from across the district are paired with two juniors who attend Middle College as they follow the students through their day in the Middle College program. Interested sophomore Roxana Najian describes her shadow as “an awesome experience and really made me look forward to next year! the food was also SOOO good!”

Overall, the Middle College program at CSM is a great opportunity to widen and expand one's horizons and perspectives, but not everyone may fnd it a suffcient learning environment.

people who you barely talk to.” With this, she also states that Middle College gave her more opportunity than Mills for her future career in science. Many students of the Middle College program agree that the ca-

of Absent Teachers at Mills

Onlyhalfway into the year, quite a few teachers at Mills have left their teaching positions for one reason or another, once again leading to staff adjustments on the Viking ship. Some of these teachers include Ms. Loi, Ms. Tiziani, and Mr. Keller.

Ms. Loi, who taught Algebra 2, embarked on maternity leave and it has not yet been announced when she will return. Ms. Tiziani, who has worked as a P.E. teacher at Mills for around 15 years, has left Mills to, instaed, teach at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, which is closer to where she currently resides. Mr. Keller has offcially stepped down from his position as a social science teacher to become a full-time athletic director for Mills. Additionally, AP U.S. History, U.S. History, and Law and Society teacher, Ms. Campbell, has been unable to teach as she currently recovers from a drastic car accident.

Though it can be disappointing when a teacher leaves, it is not un-

usual, as teachers are humans ,not unlike students, and sometimes face life changes and diffculties. “We have people come and go throughout the school year,” said Superintendent Randall Booker to the Daily Journal back in August of 2022. “... that’s nothing we’re not used to.” Here at Mills, factors such as long commutes, family needs, and unexpected circumstances contribute to those fuctuations. “I love Mills,” said former P.E. teacher Ms. Tiziani. “I love my students and fellow department members, the S.A.I.L. team of teachers, and school faculty and staff. But I was commuting an hour each way,” she continued. Ultimately, her decision to leave came down to needing to be closer to home.

“It was really sad and diffcult to see [Ms. Tiziani] go, but I think with our new teacher Mr. Dean, our class is in good hands,” expressed sophomore Abby Chai. She went on to say that things have still been running smoothly, despite the unexpected switch mid-year. These smooth hand-offs do not happen without effort on the part of administrative and teaching staff. Until a substitute is in place, the staff coordinate with each other to

achieve as seamless a transition as possible, sometimes taking on additional workload. For instance, Mr. Lira has stepped in for Ms. Campbell’s APUSH and Modern World History classes, as well as her Law and Society class. Ms. Donohoe and Ms. Thomas, both new to Mills, have also taken Mr. Keller’s Modern World History classes under their wings as Keller’s athletic director position turns full-time. Ms. Cheng, a student teacher who previously worked with Ms. Battaglini, is taking over Ms. Loi’s Algebra 2 classes.

Compared to other school districts, San Mateo Union High School District has been fortunate to hire well-suited teachers in place of absent ones, but it hasn’t always been easy. According to Ms. Duszynski, “several neighboring Districts are experiencing a shortage, and the pool of educators who want to come in for short-term assignments is smaller than in years past. Realizing this, the District created a site-support substitute position last year…In other cases, we’ve found great teachers for vacant positions, and we worked hard to recruit those teachers and support them as they join our school mid-year.”

Even so, staffng shortages in schools have been an ongoing issue nationwide. A September 2022 federal survey of school principals found that 48% of them found it challenging to hire teachers, particularly qualifed ones. The California School Board Association told ABC 10, a news outlet in Sacramento, that our state needs 100,000 teachers to provide quality education. While the need is most dire in rural areas, it affects all of us. Duszynski said, “We need more qualifed individuals to join our substitute pool, both classifed and certifcated staff.”

As students bid a bittersweet goodbye for now to their teachers and wish them well, Mills remains positive and adamant about making sure classes continue as seamlessly as possible. Principal Duszynski explains, “...we work alongside departments and colleagues to continue teaching and learning no matter what.”

Note: Parents, community members, and recent college graduates who are interested in short-term teaching or other staff positions are encouraged to contact the SMUHSD Human Resources Department to fnd more information at the

Entertainment Editor PHoebe PIseRCHIo ‘25

sHANNAH KwAN

MIDDLE COLLEGE: Juniors Julia Jiron, Shana Singh, Shannah Kwan

College oF sAN mATeo

College of San Mateo (CSM): Graduating CSM Middle College cohort pictured

College oF sAN mATeo

CSM: Middle college students take classes at the CSM Campus.

The Trouble with our School Lunch System

Michael Lin Staff WritEr

Ahealthy body is a healthymind, and a healthy mind encourages better performance in daily tasks. Since the fall of 2020, California has required its schools to provide free lunches in order to support students from low income families to survive in the face of food insecurity. However, the cafeteria at Mills High School lacks the means to prepare healthy, desirable lunches for all students to eat.

After three long hours of challenging schoolwork, students crave food and the companionship of their fellow classmates. Seniors might want to be saved by the bell and leave school, while other students may ponder on what to eat instead of what questions they should be working on. Brendon Phimsoutham (12), a senior at Mills, comments, “Oh it’s great, it takes a lot off my shoulders, so that I can eat in the comfort of my own home, instead of waiting for my next class” . He equates the lunch line to a battlefeld which he is exempt from facing due to his shorter schedule at school. But alas, some could wait for the entire lunch period and receive little more than snacks by the time he or she reaches the counter. The wait for a ringing bell as stated earlier is a painstaking exercise of patience. “They only

gave me tater tots because they ran out of other options” According to Daniel Gao (12) a senior at Mills High School, he faces the disadvantages of not only a long line, but also the distance from his class to the lines as well as the clustered mass of students that awaits him when he fnally arrives at the line itself.

but watch classmates and friends with better lunch and weep internally as they gorged themselves. When it comes to school lunch, there is much room for improvement. Last Fall, the Los Angeles Unifed School District announced a new menu that includes egg white breakfast wraps, vegetarian ramen,

gumbo, glazed carrots organic cheeseburgers, kung pao chicken with honey glaze and brown rice and broccoli, cinnamon rolls, ramen bowls, smoothies, and yogurt and fruit breakfast bowls. The superintendent in Los Angeles claims Federal and State fundings are paying for these delicacies. Taking into consideration that the San Mateo Union High School district is one

High School website, they featured many prior options to purchase lunches. For one, parents could pre-pay online, so that their child can have food credits to use during lunch time. When they scanned their ID cards, money for the lunch would come out of their credits. Students could also opt to provide proof of low income status, which would guarantee them free lunch.

What had formerly been short lines during pre-COVID-19 years, Mills lunch lines can now be characterized by bustling students, chaotic lines, and large swarms of people.

Furthermore, another issue that some students face come with the struggle of holding a spot in the tedious line that will eventually direct them towards the food. “I like going to the cafeteria because they have a larger selection of food, but I get there too slow and the line is like 100 people, and I have to resort to the snack bag that no one wants”, states Jeremy Pan (12) who has been a long time patron of school lunch, and even in his current position as a senior, is not immune to the fate of consuming scooby snacks in a dark isolated corner. “I got a cheeseburger; the bread was hard as a rock, the patty was dry, and the cheese looked like plastic stuck on a tin foil, and I had to wash it down with water.” The moment Hanson Han (12) found his place in the cafeteria counter, all that remained was unsatisfactory leftovers. And while he ate his burger, Hanson could do nothing

of the wealthiest in the country, why is our menu still so dismal?

True, this Michelin-inspired menu was created to cater to low-income students, but how can that differentiation be made in the line for school lunch? The truth is that everyone-- rich or poor-- ends up short in the line of the cafeteria. The sun shines equally on all the hungry ones.

Congressional Democrats in Washington D.C. had been previously aiming to expanding free lunch programs with a bill titled “Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act,” which aimed to partner schools with farms that can serve or provide fresh produce. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass.

However, what can be hoped for is the possibility of potential changes made to the school lunch systems so that more equity can be ensured for students who face struggles in getting the lunches they desire.

Prior to the COVID-19 era, the reason why lunch lines had ben drastically shorter, were because they had not been free for all students. When visiting the San Mateo Union

to choose from are pictured.

Nowadays, however, with the reality of free lunch and the consequent impact of a larger amount of students, some students, including those who work at the cafeteria, provide some optimistic suggestions for navigating the current lunch time system. “It’s defnetely not as fancy as the lunches we can see on TikTok in Korea or Japan, but it’s not that bad. Pizza is defnitely the safest option, in my opinion. And, there are a variety of options to suit your taste buds”, stated Natalie Yeung (12). Without being critical about the quality of school lunches, Natalie suggested a neutral, yet rather pragmatic description of food quality.

Overall, at Mills, having the precense of free lunches within our school and district have been defnite positives. However, this doesn’t mean that the drawbacks to our current system have not been affecting students negatively. Long lunch lines, limited food choices, and sometimes lack-luster quality have been known to cause grumbles within students who wish to both eat a lunch that is nutricious and delicious.

mAgDAleNe Ko THe THuNDeRbolT

LUNCH: A few of the lunch options from which students are

mAgDAleNe Ko / THe THuNDeRbolT

LUNCH: Hundreds of students chaotically cram into line to recieve their school prepared lunches.

sANTIAgo PTA

LUNCH: California is providing free lunch for all stidents.

eRIKA KITA / THe THuNDeRbolT

LUNCH: A student recieved moldy strawberries in their school provided fruit salad.

First Rally of the Year: BTS of the Pokemon Rally

Noor Abdullah

Staff Writer

Excitement flled the air at the Pokemon rally as students clad in blue, yellow, green, and red cheered loudly for their grades. January 20 marked Mills’ frst indoor rally since pre-COVID days. A lot of the behind-the-scenes work went into making it the success that it was. Combined efforts between leadership students, school clubs, and teachers and staff created a fun atmosphere for all attending the rally.

Leadership students, headed by Ms.Zink and Ms.Dove, were responsible for most of the planning prior to the rally and setting up the day of. Bella Lozano (11) provided insight on what this process was like. “The pokemon theme was chosen before break and right when we came back from winter break we instantly started planning”. Leadership spent these short three weeks leading up to the rally organizing spirit days activities, planning games and competitions for the rally, sharing information through social media, and gathering and creating the decorations including posters, streamers, and balloons.

“Mostly it was very fun, though the week leading up to the rally was very stressful, the day of the rally was very fun,” Bella shared.

The rally kicked off with a digital pokemon video, setting the scene for this colorful rally. The pokemon theme was brainstormed by leader-

ship student Diego Santos (11) and supported by other leadership students who voted for his idea. Hailey

Tan (11) commented on leadership’s choice of supporting Diego’s theme saying “He has been working very

Leadership student Matthew Tam (11) shared an unforeseen hiccup that occurred on rally day, “I had to fx the rally stick along with Kennedy and Gali, it fell apart before the rally”. The stick is made of PVC

scared me. But then Ms.Dove got us pizza to celebrate, so I felt better.”

School-run clubs also pitched in to present entertaining dances to rally attendees. The Latina Mentor Program (LMP) performed a traditional

and the dancers had two hour long practices twice a week leading up to the rally. They all agreed that despite the long hours of practice and nerves before the dance, it was all worth it. “It’s all for representation of the Latin community, let’s show it off.”, Ariadna Sanchez (12) stated. Another entertaining performance was put on by the teachers and staff who surprised students with a choreographed performance to the Bay Area classic “Locked In” by P-Lo. Mr.Ding was the brains behind the dance as he came up with the idea, choreographed a dance, and hosted practices for teachers and staff before the rally. The dance contained mainly contemporary dance moves that Mr. Ding planned to impress the students. Ms. Donohoe was part of the group dance and when asked what encouraged her to dance she said “First, I love dancing, any opportunity to have fun. And second, we ask students all the time to take risks and be brave in class, to do things you’re not an expert at and to be ok with making a mistake and if we want ya’ll to do that we gotta do that too, we gotta model.” The students were certainly surprised, and the dance was a big hit amongst the students and staff.

hard and we thought that it was time to bring one of his ideas to light.”

During the rally, the grades competed for the rally stick through a variety of games, at the very end juniors were victorious after a shoot-out, winning the rally stick and bragging rights.

and covered in red streamers and has been ceremonially awarded to rally winners for as long as anyone can remember. Crisis averted, Matthew shares what the rest of the rally day was like for leadership students. “My least favorite part was cleaning up, we had to pop balloons, they

Rehearsals Begin for Matilda

Elaine Chan Staff Writer

The beloved story of Roald Dahl’s Matilda has been adapted for the stage in a bright and high-spirited musical that never fails to capture audiences. Mills Drama Department has taken the challenge this spring. February has begun with vocal rehearsals, dance introductions, and character building for the cast of Matilda. The drama department is excited to bring this lively musical to life. Mr. Hudelson, the director and overseer of MHS productions, plans to use clever projections and hidden stage tricks to execute the magic of Matilda with the help of our set director, Mr. Johnson, as well as the student-crew.

One of the Assistant Stage Managers, Maya Eidson (10) says that she is thrilled to take part in her frst musical as ASM. “I love working with Kaylie, our Stage Manager, and I think we’ll work well together.” Behind the curtain, our crew puts in hours of work into making the production as seamless as possible. “...the lighting will really set the tone for the show as well as the creative set,” states Eidson. By attending rehearsals and taking notes on stage directions, the stage managers can get a thorough understanding of the fow from scene to scene.

At Mills, the spring musical is always a production that comes to life over the course of several months. Joint efforts from the Mills Music students who practice alongside the cast to play the songs live in the auditorium’s pit bring a fresh and dynamic experience to the show; Mr. David Gregoric, our music director, will surely elevate Matilda to new heights. Bianca Santos (10), on violin, expresses, “I’m a little nervous since it’s my frst time playing show music, but I’m excited to be part of the community.” She states that it will be

Matilda

great exposure and will aid her growth as a musician in the future.

List: Cast list for the upcoming spring muscial. acter who is, “...resilient and intelligent.” The main cast also includes Gianluca Bettucchi (11) as Miss Agatha Trunchbull, Shree Singh (12) as Miss Honey, Ryan Spicker (10) as Bruce, Joey Situ (10) as Lavender as well as many more talented students. This production will feature one of our largest student ensembles that will truly encapsulate all the effort put in these upcoming three months.

A distinct quality of Matilda is its fast-paced choreography to match the vivid soundtrack. In light of this, Mr. Gary Stanford is leading the cast by choreographing the show. With it being his frst production at Mills, he is already sharing his infectious energy and creativity with the cast and ensemble. One of the dance captains, Michaela Gonzalez (11) shares her excitement, “After watching the movie on netfix, I can defnitely tell dance brings a liveliness and juvenile energy to the show. Dancing in footloose was a more mature experience but Matilda will urge us to tap into our inner child.”

Playing the part of young Matilda, Angel Corpuz (12) feels excited to portray this iconic and bold char-

Come witness the magic for yourself this April, when MHS’s Matilda the Musical will open Friday April 21st at 7pm in the Mills auditorium. The msucal will also host evening shows on the 22nd, 28th, and 29th as well as matinee showings on Saturdays the 22nd and the 29th at 2pm. With costs starting at $10-15, come to the box offce in the lobby to get tickets. For

dance to the song “El Sauce Y La Palma” by Banda El Recodo. Ariadna Sanchez (12), Isabella Honorato(11), and Adrian Pinto(12) shared about all the time and practice that went into preparing to perform. The dance was choreographed by their dance instructor Kathryn Lauron

Bella Lozano (11) summed up the feelings of all those who helped BTS on the day of the rally, “It was really fun to just spend a day with all my leadership friends, the aura of everyone there as our work for weeks all led up to this day and it was nice seeing our work pay off”.

Elaine Chan / Mills Thunderbolt

Cast

Courtesy of Mills Leadership

Pokemon Rally: Juniors wearing red taking a picture in front of their poster with letters spelling JUNIORS.

Courtesy of Mills Leadership Pokemon Rally: Student performers dance during the rally.

Courtesy of Mills Leadership Pokemon Rally: Teachers perform a surprise dance to “Locked In” by P-Lo.

Courtesy of Mills Leadership Pokemon Rally: Sophomores dressed up in green for Bulbasaur.

Mills Mock Trial Team 2023 Competition Overview

Jamie Wong Staff Writer

On February 7, the MillsMock Trial team completed the third and fnal round of their latest competition. Throughout the competition, which took place at the South City Courthouse, Mills faced schools including Jefferson, Serra, Oceana, and Terra Nova.

In a mock trial competition, each school has a prosecution and defense team who face off with other schools’ defense and prosecution, respectively. All participants argue about the same fctional case. This time, the case concerned Billie Scher, the victim, and Jordan Franks, the defendant, and the incident took place aboard a ship named Heart of the Ocean.

Billie Scher played the lead in Macbeth at Sea, co-starring with Franks. Yet on the last night of the play Scher’s alleged Shakespearean ring was stolen and an altercation

occurred between Scher and Franks, resulting in Scher breaking her arm in two places. The case hinges on whether Franks shoved Scher and stole the ring. Franks is charged with battery and grand larceny, while lawyers use witnesses to help argue case, all played by students.

In round 1, Mills’ prosecution team competed against Jefferson, and the defense team competed against Serra. Prosecution attorney Katelyn Lam (12) revealed “although everyone was really nervous and didn’t know anything about the process they handled themselves well.” The defense team went on to win the verdict that Billie Scher was not guilty of robbery and assault.

Going into the second round, the team worked harder than ever and felt much more confdent. Mills’ prosecution faced Oceana, and its defense faced Serra in round 2. The absence of two members of the team, Daniel and Justin Gao, led to the shuffing of roles for other members.

Ultimately, the group was able to

pull through and still delivered a full team by having other members fll in. Magdalene Ko (12), who played a witness in round 2, commended that “the attorneys all improved a lot after the frst round, since they could more skillfully adapt to different situations and formulate objections.”

Round 3 was both stressful and relieving for all members. They were fnally at their last competition, after the blood sweat and tears they poured into their arguments. Everyone fnished feeling proud and happy that they were able to compete well even in Ms. Campbell’s absence. Defense attorney Max Zaninovich (11) explained “It was just really comforting to know we’d participated in three competitions to the best of our ability. I know everyone worked really hard for this.”

Throughout the year, all the members of Mock Trial have put in hours planning, studying, and rehearsing for competitions. Katelyn Chang (12) and Katelyn Lam (12), the head attorneys, have been important leaders for the team, especially in Ms. Campbell’s absence. Christie Tjandra (12), prosecution’s pretrial attorney, stated “Katelyn Chang and

Lam have been really well prepared for everything that comes their way and guiding us as we learn”

The team is also thankful to the adults who have stepped in for Ms. Campbell. Ms. Turek, the team’s supervisor, has been very supportive and helped the team’s delivery become more fuid by providing feedback about key components such as their body language and movements. Cathryn Dalton, Ms. Campbell’s daughter, is another important supporter of the team. Like Ms. Turek, Dalton attended every competition despite her busy schedules, taking notes and later giving feedback to the team. Dalton also provided help to the students over email when they had questions.

Overall, the Mills’ Mock Trial team has had a great year considering the challenges it has faced. Ko says, “I’m very proud of everyone for working so hard despite Ms. Campbell’s absence and the struggles that have come along with it, and I can see all the time they’ve spent writing their lines and organizing themselves, learning how to objectives and evidence walks, and just memorizing every little thing.”

Mills Wellness Counselors

Kyle Chan Staff Writer

Asmany are aware of, February is the month to express love and gratitude to those around us. As of which, let’s appreciate the people who are always available to help, the wellness counseling team! No matter the situation, they will always lend a helping hand.

Mental health awareness has risen to become a huge topic regarding the well-being of one’s health. Over the last couple years, there has been an increase in those who have reported feeling depressed, stressed, anxious, etc., which correlates from the pandemic. It is important to search for help and comfort, if it has a detrimental effect on your daily life. If you are uneasy or angst at school, you can always visit the wellness counseling room in the language hall.

There are many ways people cope with mental health, since there are many different kinds of mental health disorders. “We have therapeutic models, such as fdgeting toys,” says Ms. Laura Hahn. “We can also provide a variety of coping strategies including listening and educating about the topic of mental health and hygiene. We also go through a step by step problem solving method.”

They also have a bunch of services throughout the day. Ms. Hahn states that, “They can drop

in at any time, meaning they don’t need an appointment. They can schedule an appointment, which is a private one on one conversation. If one is struggling and needs more attention, they can receive twelve appointments. Some students have mental health counseling on their schedule, and they can also refer or connect students to mental health programs outside of school.” You can book an appointment by going to the Mills website and searching up wellness counseling. Then you would click the bit.ly/vikingstherapy, and fll out a form to fnd a date and what you want to talk about.

A little backstory about Ms. Hahn said that she wanted to be a mental health therapist at school because it was something that didn’t exist when she was at school. “There weren’t any safe adults or

areas where those who struggled could seek guidance for their problems. I wanted to provide support and advice to those battling against mental health.” If you’re curious about being a licensed mental health counselor, frst you have to get a high school diploma. Then you would need to achieve a bachelor’s degree in college. But the most important thing, says Ms. Hahn, is that, “you need a masters degree in a counseling feld, experience working in a practicum, and that you have to pass a licenses exam”. It’s normal to feel anxiety or stress, but it’s unhealthy to let it build up and consume your life. Instead, you should seek guidance and talk to someone you deeply trust. If you are feeling down or troubled in any way, you can always visit the wellness counselor room. All are welcome!

Katelyn Lam / Mills Thunderbolt

Mock Trial Team: Group Photo of the 2023 Mills Mock Trial Team after their frst night of competition.

Magdalene Ko/ Mills Thunderbolt

Mock Trial : Prosecution (Left to Right: Christie Tjandra (12), Chester Ho (12), Katelyn Lam (12), Zurine Cheng (11), Jessica Liu (12))

Jessica Liu

Mock Trial Courtroom: Drawing by Jessica Liu (12) of competition courtroom

Kyle Chan / Mills Thunderbolt Wellness Counselors : Ms. Hahn in her offce welcoming students in.

Platonic Love Matters Just As Much As Romantic

As Valentine’s Day approaches, people begin to focus on their romantic relationships; what gifts to buy their partner, how to make them happier, and so on. In general, people would say that, in their life, romantic love is the most important love of them all; which makes sense since those people you’re in a relationship with are the ones who you live with, grow with, and make a family with. However, as special as having a day dedicated to love is, it should also serve as a reminder to people that there are, in fact, many different types of love beyond the romantic feelings you might have for another person.

In order to help us understand “love” in a broader sense, it is helpful to turn to the Ancient Greeks. They did not simply talk about “love” as a unifed concept, but created distinct categories of love which they called: Eros, Philla, Storge, and Agape. For the Greeks, Eros meant romantic love, Philla represented platonic love, Storge, parental love, and Agape, love for mankind. They argued that for a per-

Julia Xia staff writer

son to feel truly happy, they ideally should have all four types of love in their life. However, on Valentine’s Day, we really hear the most about two types: Eros and Philla. Philla and Storge love often comes second, after Eros. This is the kind of love you have for your friends, classmates, family, and pets. While Valentine’s Day doesn’t focus on these types of love, it’s still very important to appreciate them. Creating platonic (non-romantic) bonds with the people around you can have a huge impact on you emotionally, physically, and socially; it teaches you to care for and treat another person.

In addition, platonic relationships, such as a friendship, offer you a support system that helps lessen depression and anxiety. When a romantic relationship is brand new, it’s understandable to want to spend all your time with them and learn everything you can about them. This phase is called the ‘honeymoon’ phase, where the only thing on their mind is their partner and it’s very easy to get wrapped up in it. During this phase it makes it easier to black out any potential problems in the relationship and this rush of feelings can be mistaken for love when in reality it’s only

just the thrill of a new relationship. When this happens, it can result in someone choosing to prioritize their romantic relationship over their platonic ones, and sometimes end up abandoning their friends altogether. This can strain the relation-

ships they have with their friends, sometimes to the point of no return.

To stop this from happening, it’s important to remember that your friends are just as important as your partner and for a relationship to work you have to make time for both.

with love, the thunderbolt

White Day: Everything You Need To Know About It

Erika Kita staff writer

Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated with couples giving all sorts of gifts including heart shaped chocolate boxes, teddy bears, and red roses. However, in countries like Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and other Asian countries, they have a second day to share the same festivities. The month right after February 14th, also known as Valentine’s Day, follows the lesser known White Day, on March 14th. Media such as popular anime and Korean dramas portray the importance of White Day in Asian countries and how it is celebrated.

Now why is White Day needed when there is already Valentine’s Day? While America and other countries celebrate only Valentine’s Day, where both in the relationship will express their love with gifts, Valentine’s Day in Asia is normally celebrated where only the girl will give to the guy. Then for the guy to reciprocate back, there is White Day where it is the man’s turn to give and express their love to their signifcant other. White Day originated in Japan in 1978, where a confectionery company in Fukuoka marketed marshmallows which turned into “Marshmallow Day” day as the original “answer day”. And since the popularization of marketing white chocolates and marshmallows on this day, the term

“White Day’’ was made in order to give back to their signifcant others.

Although marketing white chocolate was popular during this day, nowadays both dark and milk chocolates are also sold as well. Understandably it should not just be women who have to give on Valentine’s Day, so having this “answer day” is a culture that is well practiced in these Asian countries.

There are other celebrations as well that follow similar traditions to the holiday White Day. A celebration in Korea which follows even after White Day is Black Day. The month after White Day, on April 14th, is Black Day, which is celebrated for those who have not received any chocolates or gifts on either days and for the single individuals. Black Day in Korea is celebrated by eating a bowl of jajangmyeon which are noodles made with a thick black bean sauce, making the name “Black Day”. These unique holidays show how not only happy couples can celebrate being in love but also for the bitter single people who want to eat a bowl of noodles.

All of these traditions that stem from the original Valentine’s Day have been heavily popularized in Asian culture. Should White Day also be celebrated in America and other countries as well? Or, is one

In everyone’s life it is important to fnd a way to balance these two relationships since they are the most important relationships in your life. Prioritizing one over the other will only cause problems along the way.

Yet even though this is true, it is sometimes hard to put into practice. While it can be hard to fgure it out at frst, there are many ways to maintain a relationship when you already have plans. For example, make sure you don’t force your platonic friends and your romantic partner to hang out with each other since not everyone is going to click; and even when they do, your partner isn’t always going to want to spend time with you and your friends. Don’t cancel plans with a platonic friend in order to spend time with your partner. This is going to hurt your friends’ feelings, and you very well might end up pushing them away.

More than anything, you have to always remember that love is not a zero-sum game. You don’t have to give up one in order to have another; rather, open yourself up to the possibility that you can have many different kinds of love in your life. If you do, you will be much happier in the end.

day for celebrating love enough?

A senior from Mills High School explains how “Having White Day in America could be problematic. They stated that, “By having the two holidays, and having them both separated by gender, could add to the ongoing problem of gender dysphoria.”

The two separate occasions of giving gifts to one’s signifcant other can also be confusing for those who identify as LGBTQ+ where gender identity can confict with the gender specifed holidays. American or Western culture is, in general, very different compared to some Asian cultures where specifc holidays or celebrations have different traditions and connotations towards Valentine’s Day.

The emphasis of romantic relationships over other relationships in general, is also prevalent throughout American culture. Overall, having a White Day in America, as done in many Asian countries, would most likely not be successful due to a plethora of cultural differences. The variety of celebrations that couples have in Asia is very different compared to American culture and the creativity of the traditions are very impressive. In the end, these holidays are just for fun and are a good way to express love for another person.

Petaling Away from Flowers this Valentine’s Day

It seems all too soon for the return of the gift-giving season. Wasn’t it just Christmas? But Valentine’s is here, and the season of love is all around us. Which, of course, means that you’ll have to get a gift for a friend or loved one. Out of ideas, you may be considering getting them some fowers again; doesn’t everyone love that? Think again. Over the years, the meaning behind fowers has been lost to gimmicky and commercialized ideas of love. Originally sought after to create paradisal atmo-

often only enjoy them for an hour or two, but afterwards these plants become items pushed off to the side to collect dust. For a gift with such little gratifcation and so much environmental havoc, it seems a little unreasonable to feed into the trend.

Sadly, fowers are quick to be misinterpreted as signs of your insincerity or lack of effort to get someone a more personalized gift. When 15 Mills students were asked whether they would prefer real fow-

less when gifted with little to no thought or personal signifcance. But for those who are set on getting fowers, there are alternatives to lessen the environmental impact while making a more lasting impact on your loved one. For example, you could source your fowers from a local forist, meaning that your purchase not only contributes to a more ethical and eco-friendly practice, but also that your fowers will be more unique to your area. Shop-

spheres and celebrate the vivid beauty of nature, fowers have been used as symbols of love and natural beauty in acts of appreciation and celebration. Nowadays, people have become so desensitized to the true meaning of fowers because of how much they are frequented or advertised as the “optimal gift for every occasion.” In other words, bouquets have simply lost their touch in conveying genuine romantic feelings. Millions of fowers are grown every year to stock stores across the country and satisfy the Valentine’s season demand. Tons of water, land, and energy is pumped into growing fowers, many of which don’t pass quality control. If they survive the journey to stores, these fowers may be among the lucky onein-two who are actually bought before living out their shelf life of four days. The staggering 50% of fowers who never make it out of the store are discarded to landflls. The total energy spent produces almost 10,000 metric tons of CO2 per 100 million fowers, enough to fuel a hot air balloon. Furthermore, people who receive fowers

writer

A Brief Crash Course on Valentine’s Day

ers or an equivalent gift (such as stationery, a plushie, or chocolates), more than half of respondents answered saying they would prefer the equivalent gift. Many cited that they would appreciate a gift that could be used long-term, required less upkeep, and was more personalized to their taste. Jasmine Li (9) shared, “I like sweets, and fowers would just sit around and die.” To some, the symbolism behind fowers has also been fipped to mean the “death” of love, because the fowers that represent love ultimately die. “You don’t want your love to die like a fower,” Theresa Bruce (10) commented. So if the fowers of today have lost their intrigue, what can replace them?

Firstly, it’s important to always know the person that you’re gifting to and to center your gift around their interests. General gifts that seem to be popular among Mills students include food, plushies, a sweet card, and jewelry/accessories. But even then, some of these gifts are relatively meaning-

ping for potted fowers is also more sustainable long term because the gift will be easier to care for. Paper or crocheted fowers are also a popular replacement for real blossoms. Hand-crafted crocheted fowers capture the same beauty of natural fowers while ensuring that they would last forever, making your purchase worthwhile. These fowers, especially when hand-crafted, are even more meaningful than real fowers because of the attention to detail and effort put into them. The same goes for paper fowers, whose details and delicacy mimics that of real fowers and adds a more personalized touch. But at the end of the day, it’s truly the thought that counts. It is important to put effort into the gifts we buy for others, making Valentines a special celebration of the ones we love rather than just surrendering to meaningless gimmicks. So whether you’re on a time-crunch or a budget, it’s always nice to celebrate the people around us; just make sure you are aware of the impact you’re making.

Rachel Cheng staff writer

Valentine’s Day : a widely known holiday that celebrates romance and love. Often celebrated with fowers, teddy bears, and boxes of chocolate, this holiday has been acknowledged since the late 1800s. However, many are unsure just where exactly this holiday originated, and how it has evolved into the celebration that it is to this day.

Also known as Saint Valentine’s Day, this day originated as a pastoral festival called Lupercalia, which was believed to ensure good health and fertility for the people of Ancient Rome. However, as time has passed, the holiday has evolved into a widely recognized celebration of love. Researchers are unsure about how exactly this holiday has become correlated with romantic love, but some suggest the theory that during the Roman festival of Lupercalia, the names of Roman boys and girls were drawn in order to couple them.

Now, the holiday’s infuence has taken hold over the world. Residents of countries such as the United States, Brazil, India, the Philippines, France, and many more participate in this holiday’s festivities as well. In addition, several countries in Asia such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea celebrate their own holiday along with Valentine’s Day: a day called White Day where women traditionally give gifts in return.

Valentine’s Day also has a wide variety of traditions across the world. For example, a comic of former United States president Theodore Roosevelt re-

fusing to shoot a bear inspired a man named Morris Mitchom and his wife to create a stuffed bear to commemorate the President. These bears were mass produced and are now gifted as a show of affection on Valentine’s Day. Furthermore, the red rose has evolved into a symbol of love as a result of a Greek myth, where rose bushes grew out of the ground from the goddess Aphrodite’s tears.

However, Valentine’s Day is not only celebrated as a holiday for romantic love. In many parts of the world, people celebrate the holiday by giving gifts to and spending time with friends.

Mills High School student Erika Kita (12) remarks that, “Giving gifts to friends is also fun during Valentine’s Day instead of just to your signifcant other. Valentine’s Day can be celebrated in more ways than just romance.” In fact, many other students often express that objects such as chocolates, fowers, cards, and teddy bears or other stuffed animals are fun to give to a friend to show appreciation.

Over the course of time, the celebration of Valentine’s day has evolved signifcantly: from a smaller Roman pastoral festival to a largely infuential celebration of love and romance. However, the spread of this holiday’s impact has allowed it to be appreciated by all, and serves as a way to display affection and care.

Flowers are a universal symbol of love, especially on Valentine’s day. Beautiful bouquets are common gifts of undying love. Over 250 million roses are sold on February 14, but nearly all of them will end up in landflls. Is the romantic tradition worth the environmental toll?

Do Romance Tropes Breed Toxic Relationships?

La La Land. The Notebook. Pride and Prejudice. All of these forms of media have one thing in common:romance. It is a widespread, popular, and infuential genre. There are several famous romantic tropes that people love to see in any form of media. Whether it be action, drama, mystery, or more, people go crazy. However, it seems as if a lot of people apply romantic fction to real life, and it is questioned whether it is infuencing toxic relationships.

Jessica Poon staff WritEr one person in a relationship, typically the man, does something that is unacceptable. For example, he cheats, but shows up at the other’s doorstep with fowers and is easily forgiven. It leads the audience

Personally, I believe that the problem of the media’s infuence on relationships isn’t the tropes but rather the authors and the near-impossible perfect relationships. Since most tropes are incredibly off-putting or rare in real life, such as offce romances and fake dating, the majority of viewers know to separate them from their personal lives and relationships.

Although tropes are typically harmless, when some of them are written wrong by the authors they can become harmful infuences, examples being “Grumpy X Sunshine,” or “Enemies to Lovers”

It is a trope that has at least one character have a frustrated or mysterious personality. The problem isn’t the trope itself, it’s that several authors/directors tend to refect how they perceive men and women and how they should act onto the couple(s), and excuse it as those

said tropes. This does not apply to only a few tropes but all of them.

When writers do this, a good amount of the time the masculine character is arrogant or aggressive and causes most of the problems,

lead, Elle, when she is in danger. The director makes viewers see his actions as romantic and heroic, but truthfully it’s scary, uncontrolled, and simply socially unacceptable.

Another way romantic fction

partner to tend to their every want and need, but it’s just not possible all the time. People are not psychic, and won’t know what you want unless you express it. Additionally, not all people have the money to be able to fulfll some of these romantic gestures. Having extremely high expectations in a relationship isn’t wrong, it’s just unlikely to occur and leaves those with the high expectations to be disappointed in their partner or feel that something is wrong.

Romantic content holds a heavy clutch on society’s view of relationships, as there aren’t many relationships around for the audience to compare to theirs. A considerable amount of viewers do not realize it is harmful towards their relationships to portray love as perfect. As long as both parties in the relationship are happy, there is no reason to compare or apply things they see in the media. The media only negatively affects relationships when those in the relationship are infuenced by it.

whereas the feminine persona forgives and cleans everything up. The author sells their work as romantic and sweet as it seems from the surface, leading people to grow used to and romanticize the toxicity and incorporate it into their relationships as the norm. An example of this is

to believe that one good deed is enough to cancel out all the bad that has happened. An example of this can be the Netfix Original, “The Kissing Booth”. The main lead, Noah, is an extremely violent character and becomes even more violent when it comes to the female

breeds toxic relationships is the unbreakable and perfect relationships that are often portrayed. Due to the frequency of these relationships being written, a lot of viewers begin to expect their partners to be perfect just like in the movies. There have been cases where they expect their

Dear Society, It’s Ok To Be Single

Katelyn Chang Editor-in-chiEf

February: the month of love. This month comes along as a celebration of not just platonic and familial love, but also romantic relationships.

February 14th, or more commonly known as Valentine’s day, paves the way for dozens of Instagram posts and stories celebrating successful relationships. But, from a single’s perspective, the day isn’t as joyful, as it’s a dreadful day that’s dedicated to showing and faunting something that you simply don’t have.

The term ‘singlism’, coined by Psychologist Dr. Bella DePaulo, refers to the stereotyping, stigmatizing, and discrimination against those who are single. But, before approaching what exactly singlism is or the harms of it, it’s important to note that although singles face hardships, it is in no way comparable to the outright discrimination that marginilized groups still face today. With that being said though, society’s laws and rules (in the United States at the least) can mean less fnancial devastation for those who aren’t single. Because of laws and policies that favor married peoples such as more social security benefts, singles often don’t see the same benefts. In a case study of this, a September 2018 U.K report’s fndings revealed that those who were single ended up paying a penalty of almost $2,600 dollars a year compared to their married counterparts. But the fnancial burden didn’t seem to end there; DePaulo found in a study between identical twins that the married twin received a 26% higher salary. Moreover, by the time singles reach the age of 65, as a 2016 Social Security Administration report fnds, they are more likely to be in poverty than other groups. These are all instances of how singles are penalized within society and face unfair hardships. And within the U.S, without having

enough fnancial resources, it pushes those who lack it into deeper fnancial ruin, leading to more extensive consequences. In the case of health insurance, not being able to afford better health care because of budgetary reasons can become a choice between life and death. These are the real factors that pressure singles to choose to be in a relationship despite their possible unwillingness to.

But, discrimination against singles doesn’t stop there. Within society, singles end up facing unwanted and harmful stereotypes pushed onto them by others. Biases are often present and frame an image that those who are single are miserable, lonely, and live unhappy lives, leading to books titled How Not to Stay Single: 10 Steps to a Great Relationship and Work Out, Lose Weight, and Stop Being Single to be published. What these stereotypes continue to ignore however, is the fact

that some people might not be ready for a relationship or simply choose not to be in one in the frst place. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with choosing to be single. In fact, it is the better choice rather than forcing unrequited feelings onto yourself to give one a semblance of security. On a personal level, in the 7th grade, I felt pressured to be in a relationship because of the amount of kids in my grade that were either in one, or had experienced one before. But, the fact is that I wasn’t ready for one. I wasn’t particularly looking for one, or interested for my own personal wellbeing, rather I wanted one to ft in. What this led to was a failed relationship that only lasted a pitiful seven days. Rather than gaining happiness and elation, it only ended up hurting both parties. Going into a relationship halfheartedly without genuine interest or feelings never ends well.

Even if being in a relationship, especially when younger, is considered “cool”, it’s important to recognize the things you gain by taking time and learning who you are on your own. Although a relationship can provide companionship, I’m a frm believer of the philosophy, ‘You can’t love someone until you learn to love yourself’. Taking time to discover what you want, love, and care for shouldn’t be looked down upon. Rather, it should be advocated for. Self-growth is a necessary part of growing as an adolescent. While a relationship can bring happiness, it can also make you feel trapped. Because, in a relationship, it’s not just your feelings that you have to take into consideration. And while harmful literature that shames singles can be published, so can uplifting selflove books embracing single-hood. The Unexpected Joy of Being Single highlights the freedom you gain from

being able to be on your own. Author Catherine Gray revels and raves about her time as a single and being able to discover more about what she truly loves as well as what she is looking for and wanting in a partner. Now, as a senior, as I refect back on my experience in High School, I can honestly say that I’m happy that I never embarked on a long term, serious relationship. I believe that the time I had in high school as an independent person, was necessary in order to grow. A personal point of growth involved learning to love myself and fnding joy in my own company. I never hard been someone who was lonely, in the sense that I had friends to fall back on as well as my older sister. With no shortage of companionship, I had always felt as if I wasn’t ready for a relationship in the frst place, believing that it had to be an extermeley daunting task to care for another person’s emotions and mental state on top of my own. High School was just a tumultuous time to balance academics, extracurriculars, and friendships for me to even think about adding a relationship on top of those responsibilities. As I look towards the future and my experiences in college, I hope to treat the possibility of a relationship as an option or even “experiment”. I don’t anticipate falling into a hole of wanting to be in a relationship just for social appearences. If I wish to partake in a relationship, it should and will be based on my own choice, not based on societal pressures.

To me, prioritizing your own happiness outweighs conforming to society’s expectations of not being single in every instance. Wanting to be happy alone shouldn’t come with harmful stereotypes or the increased pressure to prove other people wrong. Choosing to not be in a relationship, or working on personal growth alone, should be a choice that doesn’t come with any consequences. Because, while singlism might still unfortunately exist, it’s important to remember that frankly, it’s okay to be single.

Courtesy of GreatSite

Romance Tropes: A list of common romance tropes featured in many books, movies, and content

What Does Advocating for DEI Truly Mean?

Katelyn Chang Editor-in-chiEf

When the bell strikes eight in the morning, millions of students in classrooms cross their right hands over their hearts. Staring into the fag, adorned with 13 red and white stripes and 50 stars, they chant the lines of their daily oath, the Pledge of Allegiance: “One nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”

This standard school practice only serves to exaggerate the blatant faws within our education system. We, as a country, demand that our students raise their hands in respect of the fag, yet we refuse to make progress towards actual implementation of “liberty and justice for all.”

The introduction of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an important step towards amplifying the voices of those who have been historically silenced. DEI can increase cultural competency and develop

devising methods for implementation, which is where the infusion of DEI into modern curricula comes in.

Kelly Hensley, high school English teacher at Mills High School, in Millbrae, California, tells a compelling story of conficting perspectives of students and staff attempting to achieve the same goal. As a teacher, Hensley aims to combine a multitude of culturally relevant pieces for literary analysis in his classrooms. From “Ode to the Only Black Kid in Class” by Clint Smith to “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan, students are able to learn about a variety of cultures, contrary to a singular white view.

After a district-mandated meeting on implementing DEI into the school’s curriculum, Hensley listened to concerns of students from another school within the county regarding the reading selections taught in their English classes and their inability to see themselves in the literature. This led Hensley to a critical question on the best way

a limited perspective sti es other diverse perspectives. By giving into demands to view certain students’ cultures in their readings, we lose out on the multitude of stories that are then cut out of the picture. A school’s demographic population is an important factor to consider when creating curricula. But, a combination of a culturally inclusive curriculum, along with broad and new angles that a multitude of perspectives can provide, is what aggregates a well rounded education. is concept is simple to derive but increasingly di cult to implement. It requires a balance between contrasting sides.

skills that promote equity and foster inclusion. Diversity allows us to seek and view representation of varied identities and differences. Equity ensures fair treatment and equality of opportunity and access. Inclusion helps to build a culture of belonging, where every voice matters.

However, our educational leaders often don’t fully consider how DEI would ft in school curricula before claiming to implement it in the frst place. Much like many 21st century movements that applaud performative activism (such as 2020’s #BlackoutTuesday movement which only served to silence Black activist voices), proclaiming the need for a DEI-infused curriculum is only the frst step of a much larger journey. The harder task is actually

to implement diversity and whether we can ever reach perfection.

Finding answers to the rst part of this question on the best way to implement DEI leads to the splitting of two ideals of what I call representation of the demographic vs. comprehensive diversity. I describe representation of the demographic as based on the general population of the classroom, whether it be Asian, Hispanic, or Black. Comprehensive diversity, on the other hand, infuses all di erent perspectives, regardless of the makeup of the population.

On one hand, Hensley’s student demographic at Mills High School consisted of a largely Asian student body, followed by those of white and Hispanic backgrounds. He attempted to insert literary works from all di erent backgrounds in-

cluding Chinese, African American, and Paci c Islanders. However, no matter how much e ort he invested in selecting the pieces, authors, and the message behind the writing, students would o entimes complain about not being able to see themselves in their class-required readings, thus leading to his dilemma on DEI implementation.

A er consulting with other teachers and students, Hensley came to the conclusion that when comparing these two methods of DEI, it isn’t enough to simply pick and choose one to be held as a pinnacle of success. Rather, what’s more important is to combine a multitude of di erent strategies together.

Because, while it is important that students see themselves re ected in the readings, portraying only

Tamu Green, developmental psychologist and founder and CEO of the Equity and Wellness Institute, describes her vision for a diversi ed curriculum, focused on what both demographics and comprehensive immersion could look like, based on an interdisciplinary approach. By combining subjects such as English, history, and health, teachers can collaborate with each other to synchronize curricula, helping to display how race and racism are present in academia in all subjects.

Anti-racist education for faculty members can also provide uniform curriculum and ensure the wellbeing of all students. Green suggests incorporating more creative approaches in courses such as American history and literature to apply information to modern times while also not leading with a male narrative.

As for DEI’s place in schools, when asked about potential pushback from parents or even educators about this approach, Green emphasizes the presence of structural racism within our society today. “Its mere existence makes it impossible for it not to be a part of all of our subjects,” she states. At the end of the day, conversations alone don’t bode well for students of color. Rather, it

is focused conversations on equity that help to bring everyone the same opportunities for success. At its core, this is what the foundation of our values in our schools and school districts should be built on. As we attempt to implement DEI into our schools and curriculums, will it ever be perfect? e answer is arguably, no. e reality is that, no matter how much we try, there will always be pushback and calls for more action, meaning that the battle for DEI is a never ending, uphill battle. And, while this is a daunting concept, diversity remains an important piece to our societies. An end of imperfection is actually a positive in itself. e unending need to do better, be better, and implement improved curricula is what pushes us forward, rather than backwards. By acknowledging the possibilities of improvement, we commit ourselves to continually striving towards creating progress. Our alternative is the current reality that is still smothered in black and white without any of the brilliance that color provides. DEI’s role in our schools is both to allow us to acknowledge our nation’s roots in violence, pain, and su ering, as well as the beauty of our diverse cultures. By sti ing conversation on systemic issues and essentially preventing progress from taking place, we run from history itself. e only way that we, as a country, can move beyond a divisive and painful past and ultimately move forward and teach children and future generations to do the same, is to acknowledge the power of our collective di erences. By tackling our issues head on, one day, we may be able to create meaningful, positive change, culminating in a world where the American ag becomes a true symbol of peace, prosperity, and does in fact represent liberty and justice for all.

Senior Thoughts on Entering Adulthood

Eighteen. A number that became a mantra of “I can’t wait” ever since we found out its meaning. The age we fnally become, legally, adults. The mystical number in which we, as teenagers enter into adulthood. However, as we draw closer and closer to this age, we start to wonder, what does this exactly entail? What does it mean to actually be an adult? Ever since we were children, we constantly were nagged by our parents by them saying things such as “as long as you are under my roof” or “as long as you are a

child, you must listen to what I say”.

As such, they got away with making us do anything and everything, regardless of whether or not we enjoyed it. Considering this, Kyle Chan (12), looks forward to more independence and freedom from his parents as he looks forward to his 18th birthday. However, thinking about it also brings about a sense of longing and nostalgia, as this would mean moving away from his family and hometown as college approaches. “Not being able to see my family every day will take some time getting used to,” Kyle states, along with “It is quite the turnaround that many have as they grow in maturity and age.” Speaking

of freedom, when asked what they thought about adulthood, one senior is jokingly looking forward to pursuing a crippling gambling addiction throughout their college career. But, with this independence and freedom, also comes with its responsibilities. As a young child, many responsibilities, such as cleaning, paying bills, and driving all fall to our parents. Sometimes, these responsibilities even fall to our older siblings, as they become adults earlier than we do. Fellow senior Gabriel Ng Solano (12), looks forward to sharing these responsibilities with his family and no longer having to be entirely dependent on his parents. He sees adulthood as an opportunity to “step

up and fll shoes” left behind by his sister before he moves on to college.

While many seniors see adulthood as an opportunity to take responsibility and own up to being an adult, however, quite a few people see the concept in a not-so-positive light. Or rather, they don’t see the responsibilities required of an adult favorably. One of these responsibilities is that of taxes. As an adult, you can no longer get away with tax evasion because you are required by law to do tax returns so that the IRS can determine what your taxable income rate is. Erika Kita (12), is one senior that is already dreading this upcoming responsibility. Another senior, Jamie Wong (12),

gave a more succinct answer when asked her opinion on whether she is excited to enter adulthood: “no”. To some seniors, this idea or concept of adulthood just isn’t as appealing and attractive as many make it out to be. When asked for advice, one alumnus said “The transition can be rough. It defnitely takes some time to get used to and is a daunting task. The best word of advice is to try to not become independent directly out of high school. Leaning on your parents is still okay, but you must start to wean yourself off gradually”. This is advice I feel we all must take, whether we are greatly anticipating or dreading the day we turn 18 and must face becoming an adult.

Samuel Lam staff WritEr

Introducing Mills’ Newest P.E. Teacher: Mr. Dean

Daniel Gao Staff Writer

Olatunji Dean, more commonly known as Mr. Dean, is one of our newest teachers on campus. After Mrs. Tiziani, who taught P.E. at Mills for over 15 years, left earlier this se- mester due to another job opening, during the start of the spring semes- ter, our school board proudly ap- pointed Mr. Dean to take over and in- struct Mrs. Tiziani’s former students.

The Thunderbolt had the opportunity to interview Mr.Dean and learn more about his background.

Mr. Dean had a very lively and active background before coming to teach freshmen and sophomore P.E. classes at Mills. While in col- lege, he played Division 1 basket- ball at University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Dean’s enthusiasm and passion for sports and physical ftness have made him an immedi- ate hit with the students he teaches. His dynamic teaching style keeps his students engaged and motivat- ed, and he often incorporates fun games and activities into his lessons.

Aside from his successful college basketball career, Mr. Dean has also worked as a coach for several youth basketball programs, where he has helped young players develop their skills and build confdence on the court. This experience has made him a valuable addition to the Mills High School community, and he is eager to continue making a positive impact on the students.

Mr. Dean’s love for sports and physical ftness began at a young age. Growing up, he was an active

child and could always be found playing some form of sport, whether it was basketball, football, or even track and feld. He was able to excel in all of them sports he dabbled in, but basketball was always his true passion. As he got older, he realized what he truly wanted to do was share his love for sports with others, and he began volunteering at local community centers and after-school programs, where he would teach other young people the fundamentals of basketball and also encourage them to stay active.

In college, Mr. Dean continued to excel both on and off the court. He was a standout player for the Uni- versity of California, Berkeley D1 basketball team and was known for his quickness, agility, and tenacity on the court. Off the court, he volunteered at local schools, where he would teach kids about the importance of exercise and healthy living.

After graduation, Mr. Dean worked as a coach for several youth basketball programs where he was able to impart his knowledge and love for the sport to the next generation of players. He quickly gained a reputation as a positive role model and a great coach, and he was sought after by many young players who wanted the opportunity to continue to learn more skills from him.

When the opportunity to teach at Mills High School presented itself, Mr. Dean was thrilled. He was extremeley eager to share his passions for both sports and physical ftness with Mills students, and was also excited to help make a positive impact on the lives of young people. Since joining the Mills community, Mr. Dean has quickly become a popular and well-respected teacher. His

students are both drawn to his ener getic and engaging teaching style, as well as deeply enjoying the activities that he incorporates into his lessons.

Mr. Dean’s impact on the Mills community has been immediate and signifcant, as he has been able to inspire many students to get more

involved in sports and physical ft- ness, and he has helped many of them develop a similar love that he had for exercise and healthy living. He has also been a valuable resource for other teachers who have sought his advice and expertise on a variety of subjects, ranging anywhere

from sports and physical ftness, to academic success and personal growth. Mr. Dean is a true asset to the Mills High School community, and he is well on his way to making a positive impact on the lives of the countless students he will come to teach and mentor.

Why Badminton is so Popular at Mills and Why We Excel at It

who want to join the team. This year, over 100 Mills students tried out on the only team that even has tryouts, nd the full team has over 40 people. Considering the physique of Asians being on the smaller side, badminton is also a more appealing sport due to its lack of physical contact and its accessibility, compared to more daunting and physical sports that require more size such as football or basketball. There is no need for height or other physical features, limiting injuries. Of course, Badminton comes with its own types of injuries: wrist strains, tennis or golfer’s elbow, ankle sprains, and rotator cuff injuries are all common. However, badminton is ultimately much safer and less physically demanding, alleviating many parental fears, which is also a common theme amongst Asians.

Of course, all this is meaningful because we have students who are dedicated to their sport from a

young age. Many of our top bracket players have played for close to, or over, ten years. Many play with outside organizations, going to competitions elsewhere, such as Kalea Sheung (12) who has qualifed for multiple World Juniors competitions. This gives Mills a distinct advantage over other schools without such players. Their experience helps foster a positive cycle of growth and mentorship amongst those newer to the team. Younger athletes learn from older ones, working together to form a strong team.

Expectations are high for the Viking badminton team, but no matter the outcome of the season the Mills community is proud of our badminton team. Despite their Asian heritage, each win comes from the hard work of every single player, from the time and effort poured into huors of training. May the Mills team continue to play well and have fun this year!

M

Joshua Choe featureS editor

ills is known for its profciency in badminton, having year after year of high ranking in tournaments and matches against other high schools. The success of the badminton team is a point of pride in Viking spirit, and many rightfully joke that Mills’ success comes from being an Asian dominated school.

But why is that exactly? To put it simply, South-Eastern Asian

countries have a higher prevalence in badminton; Asia has 7 out of 10 of the most popular badminton-playing countries. Asian badminton culture grew from the ease at which one can play, as well as the low cost of recreational badminton. This infuence, of course, carries over to these specifc ethnicities, thus meaning that Asians in our country are also more likely to play the sport. Looking at statistics from the Olympics, dating back to 1988, all of the reigning champions are Asian countries. When students see role models they can identify with, they are

more likely to be inspired to play the sport. Asia has created a culture of badminton, whether it be playing with friends on a playground or dominating the international competitions. In Asia, one can be a professional badminton player for life, whereas the lack of popularity in Europe and America makes it impossible to have as a sustainable career. The success of Asian champions breeds a healthy cycle of Asian-American students proud of their heritage and continuing the cycle by joining badminton, clearly seen in the large amount of students

daniel Gao: Thunderbolt

NEW PE TEACHER: Mr. Olatunji Dean posing in front of the basketball courts where he teaches underclassmen PE.

Dating back to 1988, all of the reigining champions from the Olympics are from Asian countries.

MillS BadMinton Instagram

MILLS BADMINTON: Mills’ 2021-2022 badminton team poses at the annual badminton CCS tournament

Mills Boys and Girls Varsity Soccer Mid-Season Overview

In the midst of the winter sports season, one of the most popu- lar sports to both play and watch is soccer. Here is an overview and look at how our Mills soc- cer teams are fairing this season.

Our boys varsity soccer team is currently 4-1-1, with a decent chance of qualifying for the CCS (Central Coast Section) tournament. On February 3, the team had a

Hanson Han SportS editor chance to solidify our standings for CCS with a win over the Jefferson Grizzlies. With the Vikings already having won a game against them earlier in the season, it seemed as if our spot in CCS was guaranteed. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies learned from their mistakes, and beat our team 2-1. This marked the very frst loss for our boys varsity Viking’s season. The remaining games of the season will ultimately determine whether or not we will be able to go to CCS. Our team is currently being led by team captain Jason Johnson (12), as well as key player Kazuki

season include a 4-0 win over the Jefferson Grizzlies, a 7-0 win over the West- moor Rams, as well as a second “walk in the park” 10-3 win over the Jefferson Grizzlies, and a second beatdown 8-0 win over the West- moor Rams. To place the cherry on top, our team was, once again, also able to crush the Westmoor Rams once again, 8-0 on February 7, which also happened to be

the team’s senior night. Despite this overwhelming success, our Vikings are still counted out of CCS due to the league’s undoubtedly cutthroat competition. Our team is currently being led by team captains Anjali Marwah (12), Reece Roach (10), Kennedy Bauer (12), and Alexandra Dedes (12). Last season, Marwah had been the lone team captain, attempting to guide the team all by

herself. This year, with the help of the three other captains, our Vikings are in the midst of building a sustained team that will be competitive for many seasons to come. Both of our boys and girls varsity soccer teams have quite the season ahead of them, as well as many more promising seasons to play. We’re looking forward to witnessing their future progress.

Hensley (11). These players, along with our other talented Vikings have helped guide our boys varsity soccer team to its current success. Teammate Eiden Lim (12) commented on both of these players’ skills. He stated that Hensley has great feld vision, and is an excellent kicker who is able to dribble the ball ef

fciently and pass the ball well. He also said that Johnson (12) was an all around great player, who has developed his skills profciently in every category that the game requires.

As for our other Vikings soccer team, our girls varsity team current- ly hosts a solid record of 5-2. Some highlights that occured this

Star Female Wrestler at Mills High School, Arianna McPike

Alysha Louis Staff Writer

Arianna McPike (12) is one of the most talented and accomplished wrestlers at Mills High School. She started wrestling in her freshman year at Capuchino High School. She originally had no interest in the sport, but eventually fell in love with the sport.

A few of her accomplishments include winning frst place in this year’s PAL (Peninsula Athletic League) championship. During this championship, she was voted the most outstanding wrestler of the night, resulting in a plaque made in her honor. She also excelled last season, making it all the way to the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) state championship.

However, all of this success doesn’t come out of the bushes. Besides the hours spent on the mat

learning different techniques, as well as conditioning her body to be in prime shape, there were also many people in her life who helped get her to the success she is receiving today. These people include her original wrestling coach from Capuchino, the one who introduced her to the sport, her father, as well as her former teammates at Capuchino and her current teammates at Mills.

When asked about her future plans in wrestling, she stated that she wanted to continue her career at an HBCU. This has been a growing trend in many black athletes in the past years. There have been many headlines of star athletes choosing to commit to an HBCU over a big name school, usually for reasons such as community, culture, and affordability.

This is the story of how a teen went from being completely uninterested in the sport, to planning her future around the sport, setting an inspiration for others to follow.

Kelly HenSley: Thunderbolt

MILLS BOYS VARSITY SOCCER: Kazuki Hensley (11) #2, kicks the soccer ball forwards.

Kelly HenSley: Thunderbolt

MILLS BOYS VARSITY SOCCER: Eiden Lim (12) #9 shooting the ball.

Kelly HenSley: Thunderbolt

MILLS BOYS VARSITY SOCCER: Johann Gerardo (12) #7 dribbling past a Jefferson defender on the edge of the feld.

HanSon Han Thunderbolt

WRESTLING: Arianna McPike (12) posing in front of Mills’ trophy collection with her many hard-earned medals.

Kelly HenSley: Thunderbolt

MILLS BOYS VARSITY SOCCER: Kai Hernandez (11) #4 racing for the ball.

The 2023 Academy Award Nominations: Snubs, Surprises, and More

Abigail Chai Staff WritEr

Among the dozens of prestigious award shows that take place every year, The Academy Awards, most known as The Oscars, is arguably the most reputable and signifcant in the flm industry. 2022 was an incredible year for movies all around, with stellar performances, directing, and a particularly successful year for box offce revenue, bringing forth tons of potential Oscar nominees. While the 95 year-old award show is both controversial and at times deemed, “overrated”, every year moviegoers excitedly await the announcement of the nominee.

With an anticipated but deserved lead, Everything Everywhere All At Once scored 11 nominations, a majority of them being in major categories. Released on March 11, 2022, the flm was largely talked about on social media, with praise for its plot, directing, and incredible cast. From

its frst appearance on the big screen, it was clear the flm was on a path towards success. Following Everything Everywhere’s groundbreaking lead are The Banshees of Insherin and All Quiet On The Western Front, which each hold 9 nominations. And while the list seems to have satisfed most, it came with several upsets and surprises, most of them stemming from the Best Actress in a leading role category. There’s been much uproar surrounding Ana De Armas nomination for Blonde, a “biopic” that is a fctionalized take on the fame of the iconic Marilyn Monroe. Blonde is a widely controversial flm, largely due to its exploitative nature surrounding Marilyn Monroe, and while Ana De Armas is undoubtedly a talented actress, to some her nomination seems more like a punch to Marilyn Monroe’s legacy. Perhaps even more controversial is Andrea Riseborough’s surprise nomination for To Leslie, which could possibly be revoked due to the possibility of illegal campaigning. The under-

ground “marketing” created a cloud of false publicity for the movie.

At Mills, some students expressed their opinions on nominees this year, and the potential snubs. Sophomore, Phoebe Piserchio, voiced her displeasure towards the Oscars and the blind eye they turned on actress Florence Pugh. Piserchio, states, “She was robbed of an Oscar nomination for Don’t Worry Darling because she clearly carried the movie with her compelling performance as the lead.”

For me personally, the biggest

Why Has Netfix Been Cancelling Shows?

Eduardo Galindo Aguilar Staff WritEr

Netfix’s recent cancellation of over 20 shows this past year has sparked anger among fans. The decision to cancel these shows by Netfix have even made people buy billboards and planes in order to get Netfix to reverse their decision. Some of these shows were also on Netfix’s top ten of the week with millions of views on the show, leaving many fans confused as to why these decisions to cancel shows were made. Many shows have reached a spot on Netfix’s top ten shows. For instance, Warrior Nun reached the top ten for three weeks, with over 25 million hours watched. Warrior Nun was a show that many people had not expected to be canceled. With news of canceling the show people desperately wanted Netfix to continue the show. The fans of this show have even bought billboards to get the attention of Netfix and to make them rethink their decision.

So far they have been unsuccessful, Netfix still hasn’t announced anything about another season or a con-

tinuation of any kind. Other shows have brought the same reaction as Warrior Nun where fans would buy billboards for Netfix to continue the show. Shadowhunters is a supernatural show that Netfix paid for while Constantin Films produced the show. The show had a lot of popularity, so when Netfix decided to stop the funding of the show, fans tried their best to keep the show running. Some bought billboards in Times Square and few a plane over Netfix HQ with the message “#save-shadowhunters”. Unfortunately, Netfix did not change their mind even with the incredible showing of the fans’ work.

It seems like Netfix decides at random which shows it chooses to continue and which they cancel. Even if it is popular and in the top ten, there is still a chance it can get canceled. Fans are outraged at Netfix

as it doesn’t make sense why Netfix would cancel shows when there are people willing to buy planes to continue these shows. The reason why Shadowhunters was canceled was due to Netfix deciding it was too expensive to keep on going. Warrior Nun was canceled because of another reason, it didn’t have many people watching it to continue the show. Another factor for why these shows are getting canceled is how many people complete a show. Depending on how many people don’t fnish the show it might get canceled. These may also be reasons why other shows are canceled as well. They are not getting what is needed to continue with the show. This leaves a lot of fans disappointed since their favorite show is no longer running and it leaves many shows on cliffhangers.

The Uprising of K-Pop Group “NewJeans”

Bruce Nie Staff WritEr

Rookie South Korean pop group

NewJeans has quickly established itself as a premier girl group since their unorthodox debut in 2022 took the K-pop scene by storm. They had little promotion, despite featuring one of the youngest lineups to ever debut (the oldest member being 18 and the youngest, 14). Their frst self-titled album called “New Jeans” only features four tracks. Yet, this unconventional approach to a debut seemed to have paid off, as NewJeans became an overnight sensation as their EP sold over 300,000 copies in its frst week. Instead of bombastic drops or over the top beats, the album had a rather subdued feeling and focused mainly on the talented group’s vocals. Coupled with minimalist in-

strumentation reminiscent of 2000s R&B, each one of the 4 tracks was fresh, sounding unlike anything else we’ve previously heard in K-pop. Still, their discography was small, and many were skeptical if their “gimmick” could be carried onto any further tracks without sounding stale. Then, on December 19th, 2022, NewJeans put these concerns to bed with their pre-release single “Ditto.” Debuting at number one on South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart and peaking at number 8 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, NewJeans became only the 4th Korean group to make it into the top 10. Again, critics praised NewJeans’ simplistic production choices and the song’s focus on the vocal and lyrical aspects.

Then more recently, on January 3rd, 2023, NewJeans’ frst single album “OMG” was released and was met with even more critical and commer-

cial success than their frst EP, with over 1,000,000 copies sold in South Korea alone. The new title track of the same name debuted at number 2 on the Circle Digital Charts, only behind NewJeans’ very own “Ditto.”; it also peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Global 200. Again, “OMG” was praised for its minimalist approach to K-pop and R&B inspired beat, but critics also appreciated how much more energetic and bouncy the newest NewJeans track felt compared to the more atmospheric “Ditto.” However, one of the most important factors of NewJeans’ success, especially overseas, is in Ditto’s and OMG’s embrace of their English-speaking audience and accessibility on social media. Both these tracks feature large parts of the chorus sung in English, and coupled with the catchiness and easy yet iconic choreography, NewJeans has blown up and gone viral on TikTok, amassing a total of over 5.1M followers and over 130 million likes on their videos. On top of that, their songs have also been played and used as a “sound” over 1 million times on TikTok, with 680k just coming from their two most recent songs alone. In 2023, one of the most important...

upset is against the horror genre as a whole. 2022 was a great year for horror, and while not all of them were necessarily “Oscar worthy”, a few of them certainly were. Jordan Peele’s Nope and Ti West’s Pearl were both extremely successful in their own ways, the flms being a fresh new addition to the horror genre, so it’s truly a shame that both flms were completely ignored by the Academy. The biggest disappointment was Mia Goth being snubbed for her leading role in Pearl, as it’s plain to see the

talent and passion the actress poured into the role. You may have seen Goth on your TikTok for-you-page, adorned in a red dress screaming at the top of her lungs “I’M A STAR” in an aggressively southern accent. Goth’s performance in Pearl went viral for all the right reasons, so it was truly astounding to not see her nominated for Best Actress. To add, Nope particularly shone through its visual effects, sound design, and compelling plot. It deserved a spot in the Best Sound Editing category, and possibly even Best Picture.

The Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 12, and until then all we can do is wait in anticipation for the big day. Regardless of the upsets/snubs of the year, it’s important to recognize the talent of all who were nominated. With such a competitive year in the entertainment history, it was defnitely a fght to even make the list. And while a few deserving movies, actors, and actresses did go unnoticed this year, those who were recognized are undeniably deserving of their spot.

The Impact of “Frozen”

Nicole Lee Staff WritEr

Itfeels like just yesterday when Frozen was frst released in theaters and “Let It Go” was being played on repeat throughout the nation. However, as the new year is upon us, 2023 marks the movie’s ten year anniversary. In December 2013, directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee produced the animated feature flm that we have all come to know and love. Whether you’ve watched it a hundred times or have never even seen it before everyone knows the name. Frozen tells the story of two sisters, Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel) as they navigate their relationship through wintry obstacles. The fearless Anna teams up with a rugged mountain man named Kristoff and his loyal reindeer, Sven, in search of her sister, Elsa, who has trapped their town of Arendelle in an eternal winter. Despite Elsa being the

generations and with the release of Frozen II, in recent years, it is unlikely the series will become outdated. What caught many fans by surprise was its difference compared to other classic Disney princess movies, neither of the sisters ft the typical mold that many of the animations have used. The girls aren’t in need of a heroic man to save the day but, on the contrary, the prince is the villain. It was refreshing to see Frozen fght the gender norms of having men play the hero and instead, give women powerful representation. Disney and the media itself holds a large infuence on children so it is important that they aren’t exposed to toxic gender stereotypes from a young age to alter the way they think and grow up. In most dated princess movies such as Snow White Sleeping Beauty and The Little Mermaid, we see a common damsel in distress theme that demonstrates women as helpless and dependent on a man. Frozen also ridicules the unattainable love at frst sight trope. Instead of fo-

queen of Arendelle, her people don’t know that she was born with magical powers to create snow and ice. Unable to control her powers, Elsa becomes so consumed in fear that she will harm those around her that she isolates herself from everyone, even her sister whose memory has been wiped of her sister’s powers.

Since its release, Frozen has earned more than $1.2 billion worldwide, becoming by far one of the highest grossing animated flms. The movie has received many prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards nominations and a Golden Globe. Its soundtrack has even collected more than seven million Spotify streams and millions of dollars in albums. The movie has accumulated such a vast audience due to its nuanced characters, multi-generational humor and incredible plot arc. Frozen has gained so much popularity especially from younger

cusing on a love story between a man and woman, Disney created a movie that highlights family importance which is seen between Anna and Elsa as they fght to protect each other. Love isn’t romanticized like other flms but rather demonstrates that it isn’t perfect and requires fghting for.

Including such progressive elements sparked praise and altered the path for Disney’s future projects as they have come out with more socially and culturally diverse projects. Their movies have adopted more meaningful themes that children still love but can also learn from. Frozen not only created an iconic soundtrack many still listen to today but was also signifcant for many generations. It taught children lessons such as to be themselves and not hide their identity, that power can be within one’s heart and also showed girls that they are strong even when society may say otherwise.

“FROZEN” AND “FROZEN II” Walt Disney Animations MOVIE POSTERS: The frst “Frozen” movie released almost 10 years ago.

MOVIE POSTER: “EEAO” holds 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

“WARRIOR NUN” Netfix Studios

WARRIOR NUN: After 2 seasons, Warrior Nun was cancelled in November of 2022.