Dear Editor . . .

Are you having a problem with your relationship?

Do you need an extra perspective on a school issue? The Mills Thunderbolt’s got your back!

I’ve had a crush on this person in my English class for most of the school year. They’re really funny, hardworking, pretty, and I always feel like we connect a lot when we do talk. We don’t talk that much outside of school other than to ask about homework or things like that, but I really like them. I want to tell them how I feel, but how should do it? - Nervous Classmate

Hi Nervous Classmate,

In my opinion, feelings are only complicated when you make them that way. There is a pretty straightforward solution, which is to tell them directly. Since you don’t talk that much outside of school, try seeking them out to change that and make them more receptive to your confession. A quick Google search can bring you to many websites that find the address of a person. Once you’ve located that, prepare a cute bouquet of flowers and show up at a time you know they’ll be home at. If they don’t respond to a knock or ring of the bell, try using a lockpick or pretending you’re the police. You’ll for sure get an answer! Take a deep breath. You got this!

I’ve been going out with my current boyfriend for two years. We’ve been on and off, but I really love him. We’ve gone through so much together and he’s like a best friend to me. But I feel like we should break up for good. I feel like the spark has died, but I can’t bring myself to end things. I’d not only be losing someone who means so much to me, but a really good friend. We’ve also been arguing a lot more and it’s only a few months before we go to college and put more stress on our already stressed-out relationship. I just can’t bring myself to do it, but I know I have to. How should I break up with him? - Heartbroken Senior

Dear Heartbroken Senior,

I suggest you don’t break up with him at all and let it just naturally die. Use the remaining time left to seek out other potential suitors. I assume you’re old enough to go on dating apps, so don’t be shy and download a few! It’s always good to plan ahead, and since this won’t work out anyway (I mean, let’s be real here – on and off for two years?!), you might as well have some fun. Encourage him to also have some fun as well. The spark might even be rekindled if you two try something new! Hope this helps.

Dear Editor,

I’ve never been good at studying. Throughout most of high school, I’ve gotten away with just winging my exams and getting pretty solid scores every time. But this year, AP Chemistry has been kicking my butt! I think I get the concepts, but when I get my scores, they’re always in the C to D range. Now I have another test today, but I completely blanked and have to cram during my lunch period. What should I do? - Struggling Student

Struggling Student,

Wow, I feel you there for sure! I suggest taking your mind off of things and not studying at all. You wouldn’t want to go into your test all nervous as that would only jeopardize your chances of getting a good score. Rather than focusing your attention on study ing for a test you’re sure to fail, instead find a way to avoid taking it. Faking getting ill, having an appointment with your wellness counselor, or simply not showing up is a sure way to ensure you get more time to study. Don’t procrastinate this time!

by Chloe Ho and Nicole Lee

Dear Editor,

As a junior at Mills I am thinking a lot about college applications. In order to apply to Harvard, my dream school, I am in need of two teacher recommendations. However, currently none of my teachers like me. I talk a lot in class, tend to fall dead asleep during lectures, and I never know what’s going on. Starting now. I need to get all my teachers to love and adore me. How should I go about this? - Curious Junior

Hey there, Curious Junior,

I had this same problem as a junior, so I’ll let you in on my three step method that got me two incredible recommendation letters. First, you need to figure out what teacher you’d think would write the best (English teachers would be best). Second, get to know them and learn what they like. If you like what they like they’re guaranteed to like you. The best way to delve deeper into their personal life is by stalking them. Follow them around, eavesdrop on their conversations, break into their house and look through their belongings, whatever you feel is best. Finally, now that you know what they like, bribe them into writing you an impeccable letter.

Dear Editor,

My friend and I are very close. When we hang out, we often do karaoke together, and he always brags about how good his singing skills are. Truth be told, he’s pretty tone-deaf. I’ve told him before in a joking tone, but now he wants to enter the talent show and do a cover of “All of Me”. I tried to gently discourage him, but he’s been practicing for a week now and I think he’s really into the idea. He really is a bad singer, but I don’t want to hurt his feelings. How should I tell him? - Conflicted Comrade

Hi Conflicted Comrade,

If your friend is so confident about his singing skills, he ought to show it to the world. Record your next karaoke session and upload it to YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and wherever else you can. Be sure to promote it at school– I suggest posters with a QR code to the video, or by word of mouth– and watch the comments roll in. Be sure that everyone knows it’s him. The people of the internet will do your job for you, and even more convincingly. Hopefully this happens before the talent show happens so he drops out.

Dear Editor,

I am stuck in a tough situation. I have been crushing on these two girls for almost a year now and I have finally decided to mus ter up all my courage and ask one of them out on a date. Both the girls are incredible but I don’t know which one is right for me. I can’t tell who I could see a future withstand I’m losing my confidence. Quick! Who should I choose? - Lovestruck Student

Lovestruck Student,

You sure are in a sticky situation! One of my favorite and most trusted methods at making any sort of big decision is to flip a coin. Something about leaving fate up to my decisions is so exciting. Simply decide which is heads and which is tails and then ask the coin, “Which girl is right for me?” The coin will have your best interest and will give you the answer you have been looking for. Even better if the first person doesn’t work out you can ask the other one out as well. It’s really a win-win scenario. All the best!

Dear Editor,

Senioritis has been affecting me greatly. After school I go straight to my bed and never do any of my homework. This week I had a super important test in my Pre-Calculus class and I completely bombed it. I got a 3/100 and my grade currently stands at an F. My teacher, Mrs. Kovacs, pulled me aside and told me I would potentially be unable to graduate since Pre-Calculus accounts for my third year of math. I don’t know how I am supposed to break the news to my parents. What should I do?Stressed Senior

Dear Stressed Senior,

First of all, don’t panic! Panicking does nothing but create more worry, which is the last thing you need as a senior. This is your last year of school before you graduate and become an adult, so why should you spend it studying? Avoiding your problems allows your to return to them (if you do) with a clearer mindset. I would suggest talking to your teacher about potentially using some of that sweet, sweet money lining your pockets to bump that grade. Best of luck to you!

Daniel Gao Staff Writer

Haveyou noticed that the school cafeteria food has been constantly getting better with the occasional fried chicken? The Mills PTO has agreed to allocate more funding for the school cafeteria and chefs from all around the world are hearing.

Over the past few months, the school administration has hired acclaimed chefs who previously worked in the restaurant business. From a Wingstop employee making the fried chicken in the kitchen, to a cook from Gino e Toto Sorbillo, the famous pizzeria in Naples, Italy.

As a result, the Mills cafeteria food has been climbing to the top and ranking as one of the best school lunches in the California public school system. Every year, the California public high school food critic comes during January to inspect the quality of the cafeteria food. Coincidentally, our recent cafeteria food improvements had landed our school cafeteria into the top 10 of California public school cafeteria rankings.

So how did we even manage to land our school cafeteria into the top 10? Over several weeks of summer and winter break in 2022, the Mills cafeteria staff acquired the funding to hire and attend an in-person Masterclass course with Gordon Ramsey, the world’s renowned chef. After a week of learning with Gordon Ramsey, the Mills cafeteria team brought back new recipes that were suitable for SMUHSD food allergy guidelines. Recently the school cafeteria has been cooking up pasta every Wednesday and the occasional deep fried chicken created by our own student cafeteria chef Phoebe Zhang (12). Phoebe, who also works at Wingstop brought her chicken frying knowledge to the Mills cafeteria.

Another student cafeteria worker Natalie Yeung (12), is an award winning Tpumps barista nominated by the Tpumps employee of the year. During brunch she occasionally makes strawberry banana smoothies for the first few people in line. With the knowledge of making boba tea drinks, the school cafeteria is considering making boba for their students every Friday during brunch. Now students have the option to either choose between blueberry yogurt parfaits or mango peach passion boba tea as their choice.

Even more, the Burlingame Tpumps manager recently created a Tpumps catering contract with Mills high school valued over $850,000 for the duration of this and next school year. This meant that the Mills Tpumps catering team lead by Natalie Yeung will be serving students in the cafeteria on starting April 1st. With the new funding, the cafeteria also wants to open a “create your own burger bar”. Students can pick toppings for their burgers at a “subway” style bar where the cafeteria “sandwich artists’’ create their own burger for you. With the new burger bar, the cafeteria wants students to get a healthier option with their lunch by providing hand leafed lettuce, pickled jalapenos, onions, sliced truffles, and beluga caviar imported from the Caspian Sea. The new burger bar is designed to cater to students with different tastes and dietary preferences. It will offer a variety of options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike, with choices like portobello mushrooms, vegan cheese, and beyond meat patties. With the new funding for school food approved by the school board, the Mills cafeteria has become one of the best in the California public school system. The Mills PTO are thankful for a world class talented cafeteria team taught by Gordon Ramsey and acquiring a Michelin star has been in review*.