The Perennial | November 2022

Pinewood and Elections: Students Get Involved In Government

By ANNABELLE EATON Staff Writer

Freshman Soha Budhani didn’t think about politics. Before this past spring, she didn’t care about candidates’ policies or their names. Budhani left the elections to her parents — as most 13-year-olds might do.

“My family has been voting for Anna [Eshoo, the congressional Democratic representative for the 18th district of California] for a very long time, and I never realized there was anything wrong with her,” Budhani said. “But once I decided to become involved, I realized all of the things she does — or, rather, doesn’t do.”

Prompted to make a larger impact on her community and learn more about what is going on in the world, Budhani started researching the candidates for this year’s midterm election. She learned that Eshoo’s policies did not actually align with her own values and her family’s values. She also found that, like herself, many of the adults in her life are not politically informed.

Budhani has now been interning with Kumar for over six months and has become deeply involved in the world of politics at the district level. While she cannot vote yet, she stresses the importance of youth involvement in politics.

“It is really important to know who you’re voting

“We have movie nights and the Los Altos Hills Hoedown that we put on for the town,” Randall said. “We make money from selling popcorn, drinks, and food at these events and use that money to help grow our commission or put it towards a cause.”

This led Budhani to attend a talk by Rishi Kumar, a tech executive and Saratoga City Council member, who is now running against Eshoo for congress. After meeting Kumar, she applied for an internship with his campaign and got in.

As an intern, Budhani goes door-to-door to talk to people about the campaign, sends emails, and makes calls for Kumar.

“I have learned so much from just talking to people,” Budhani said. “I get to know his supporters and why they support him.”

for,” Budhani said. “Even though I can’t vote myself, I know that these candidates and their policies affect my community.”

While Budhani makes a difference in politics by helping Kumar, junior Alex Randall makes an impact at the local level with the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission. The commission is a local group of seventh to 12th graders who advise the Los Altos Hills Town Council on teen and youth issues. As treasurer, Randall raises money through local events and fundraisers.

At the school level, junior Rohan Parasnis is one of the founders of the Pinewood Model United Nations (U.N.) club. Model U.N. is a student organization that stages discussions and debates mirroring the real-world United Nations. The club meets with delegations from local schools to discuss political topics and global issues while posing as representatives of the countries in the real Model U.N.

Last year, the Model U.N. club did a virtual conference where students from different schools came together to discuss a future scenario of expansion on Mars. Representing different countries, the delegation came to agreements over hypothetical land, laws, and finances surrounding the actions of their “countries.”

“I think it really gives you a deeper understanding of politics and a hands-on experience,” Parasnis said. “This is one of the most accessible ways for students to learn how the world works.”

Through Model U.N., Parasnis became aware of the need for youth to engage in local and global politics and to become more politically aware.

“There’s not that many ways in which we as teenagers can get that involved in politics,” Parasnis said. “But, we are the future of today’s global stage.”

Community Confusion: What’s the Deal With the Food Truck?

By VIOLET NEGRETTE Staff Writer

With the start of the new school year, an enigmatic red truck has appeared adjacent to the Epicurean building. No one quite knows why or how the truck surfaced, but its purpose is vital. Installed because of issues surrounding the current hot lunch location, the food truck is on its way to becoming the new food service for Upper Campus.

Usually, the Epicurean staff prepares the food at Lower Campus before transferring the meals to Middle and Upper Campus. This has been the traditional method for years, but the dependence on Lower Campus has been difficult at times. With the food truck, that would change.

“The truck has a fully stocked kitchen, so, someday in the future, they may be able to not only serve from it, but cook our food directly there instead of transporting it from another campus,” Principal Gabriel Lemmon said.

PHOTO BY AUDREY NELSON

The new change would allow staff to cook fresh meals on campus without relying on Lower Campus. The hope is that the food truck would also allow for even more options to be cooked than before.

But the primary reasoning behind the emergence of the food truck has to do with the current situation of the Upper Campus’ Epicurean building.

“The building is constructed around the trees in that spot to protect them, but over the years the roots have started to rise, interfering with the floor and causing overall damage,” Lemmon said.

The plant erosion could eventually cause the building to fall apart, so the food truck is an excellent alternative.

The main drawback is the loss of one-half of the outdoor basketball courts. But after considering other alternatives, this was the preferable option.

“We do not currently have the space on campus to permanently relocate our food service,” Lemmon said. “Epicurean purchased the big red food truck and placed it on the court nearest the current food serving building.”

Soon, the truck should be up and running, ready to serve food to the Upper Campus population. The timeline on the exchange is still uncertain as of now, but Lemmon hopes that the truck will be extremely successful.

PHOTO BY SEIKA OELSCHIG

STUDENTS IN POLITICS Pinewood students (left to right) Soha Budhani, Rohan Parasnis, and Alex Randall featured above.

Sabrina Strand: Master of the Arts

By MAILEY WANG Staff Writer

Have you ever wondered about your teachers’ lives outside of the classroom? While you might know Sabrina Strand as your writing or literature teacher, you probably didn’t know she is also a singer and award-winning writer.

Surprisingly, Strand never planned on being a teacher. At 22, Strand started her teaching ca reer with a program called Teach for Amer ica, where she had the opportunity to teach in underprivileged areas for two years. Strand noted this was a difficult experience; she was teaching students who had never had an education and didn’t know how to behave. However, she ended up finding this experience fulfilling in the end.

“There [were still] a lot of aspects of teaching that I loved a lot,” Strand said. “I realized how much I love the relation ships with the students and how much I loved getting across my love for reading and writing.”

This inspired her to move forward with her teaching career, eventually leading to Strand’s current job as a teacher at Pinewood.

Additionally, she has won multiple awards for her poetry over the years. Strand’s poem, “Your Daughter is a Full Moon,” was placed in TulipTree Review’s “Wild Women” contest, where it was published in their 2020 spring and summer issue. The poem then went on to be nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Strand has been writing her entire life, so she loves to share her love for writing with her students. In high school, Strand was the editor in chief of her school’s newspaper. She then went on to major in journalism at Northwestern University.

More recently, Strand’s poem, “The Gardener,” was featured on Teach for America’s Instagram post. Check out her Instagram, @sabrinastrandpoetry, where she posts her poetry collection.

Along with her love for writing and teaching, Strand also has had a love for singing and performing ever since she could talk.

“If I were not a teacher, I would be a performer,” Strand said.

The president of her choir in high school, Strand continued her passion through college, where she started an a cappella group called X Factors that still exists today.

At age 26, Strand tried out for American Idol, and at age 30, she tried out for the Voice with some of her friends. Although she didn’t make it through, Strand says it was a fun and memorable experience.

Strand is a multi-talented woman, but she will always choose teaching over her other passions.

“I absolutely love teaching and I don’t know that I ever would want to stop altogether,” Strand said.

Green vs Gold Comes to Upper Campus

By KATHLEEN XIE Staff Writer

Upon stepping foot on Pinewood Upper Campus, any visitor can spot green and gold themed designs everywhere. For decades, these colors have symbolized “pine” and “wood.”

This year, students and faculty have been split into green and gold spirit teams to compete in a series of activities and earn spirit points. The team with the most spirit points will earn a trophy.

This new program stems from a long-held tradition at Pinewood Middle Campus. On Sports Day, the last day of the school year, Pine plays against Wood in a series of sports games. Upper Campus Director of Student Life Kyle Riches took inspiration from that.

“In third grade, you got assigned a team, and then you stuck on that team all the way through sixth grade, and then it just kind of fizzled out once you got up here,” Riches said.

Riches said the main benefit of having these teams is that it encourages community building.

“You can get a seventh grader cheering on a 12th grader or a 12th grader cheering on an

Rachel Votes for the First Time

By RACHEL FARHOUDI Staff Writer

After my 18th birthday last month, the promise of a round, red and blue sticker on my jacket felt closer than ever. These little “I Voted” stickers may seem trivial, but I am prepared to wear my first one like a badge of honor. In order to earn that prize, I need to cast my votes.

Because California is an absentee state, every registered voter gets a ballot in the mail. When mine was delivered, I gave it a small squeeze and put it in a safe space. I couldn’t risk spilling water on it or ripping one of the many pages when I tried to open it up. I love getting mail in general, but a well-stuffed envelope of ballot information was an especially exciting delivery. However, the second I unloaded the contents of my special envelope, a little bit of the excitement wore off as the amount of items on the ballot seemed daunting.

eighth grader and still have that same kind of camaraderie as a team rather than always going against each grade,” Riches said. “It’s really an opportunity for everyone to come together as one school.”

Senior Daniel Blotter, the Student Leadership Committee President, loves the idea of green and gold teams.

“It’s put a new twist in school contests so that it’s not all grade competitions,” Blotter said. “I’ve always wanted to add this in, and I’m happy that it’s finally happening.”

Next year, Riches plans to have students in art teacher Joy Blalock’s art classes design shirts for the teams and have students vote for their favorite design.

“Because it’s a community thing, if anyone has ideas — students, teachers — we’d love to hear them,” Riches said. “We want to make sure everyone can express their opinions and give ideas to make it an even better program for everyone.”

Through the incorporation of these teams at Upper Campus, green and gold are no longer just colors. They represent community-building spirit teams that involve anyone and everyone on campus.

By ESHA JOSHI Staff Writer

The two lunchtime Book Discoveries hosted this year featured students gulping down ice-cold milk, plates piled up with cookies, and a colorful and diverse spread of popular novels.

English and social studies teacher Michelle Gannon, who has been coordinating the Book Discoveries, believes that they create a unique opportunity for students to talk about books with each other.

“The idea [of the Book Discoveries] started by wanting to create a forum for the students to be able to discuss literature and to interact with each other about the beauty and joy of books,” Gannon said.

At each Book Discovery, students listen to a bookseller talk about book recommendations for their age group before buying any books they’re interested in from the copies the bookseller brings in.

For students who don’t read often, the Book Discoveries are intended to demonstrate that it’s possible to read outside of

California voters, being from a referendum state, get to directly vote on bills rather than the legislature debating proposed bills and adding their own amendments to come to a decision. In this week’s en propositions are on me, that meant on seven the lege and spite hoping to go so reading up candidates’ ideas is exciting rectly relates to my interests. There were so many positions whose importance I wouldn’t have even considered before opening up my ballot information packet.

The voting process can be time consuming and tedious, but luckily my parents helped me through it. The reading and planning was worth the feeling of accomplishment I got when I filled in each little bubble and sent my signed and sealed envelope off. Being a first time voter is a new and exciting privilege.

Linden Tree Visits Pinewood

the classroom for entertainment and to foster a love of books.

Additionally, the events encourage students to support small businesses. They’re hosted by Linden Tree, an independent children’s bookstore in Los Altos that entertains a diverse clientele, from parents seeking out a book for their children to young adults trying to find something new to read on their own.

“We’ve always been — and will always be — a children’s bookstore first, but we strive to have something on the shelves for everyone,” the owner of the store Chris Saccheri said.

Gannon said that Pinewood chose Linden Tree because it’s a small, local business, citing the struggles small booksellers have faced with the advent of Amazon and other larger book distributors.

“We wanted to be able to have Linden Tree to get a step up,” Gannon said. “It would be sad if we lost all of these local bookstores.”

The Book Discoveries will hopefully ignite a lifelong passion for reading in students that will translate to them supporting small, independent booksellers.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SABRINA STRAND

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE GANNON A DISCOVERY OF BOOKS Students browse through Linden Tree’s table of books in hopes to find their next favorite read.

By JOLYN DING Copy Editor

There is a specific standard of excellence imperative to achieving the success that the Pinewood girls basketball team has achieved over the past couple years. Despite the ever-changing roster of head coach Doc Scheppler’s team each season, there is one thing that always remains consistent: Pinewood’s undeniable winning culture.

Girl’s Basketball & Their Winning Culture World Cup: Should it Really be in Qatar?

What Scheppler demands from his players never wavers—effort, energy, having a fine-tuned skill set, and maintaining laser-sharp focus are all non-negotiable.

Assistant coach Kiki Nakano pointed out that what sets the program apart is not only its high standards for their players, but also the quality of people that comprise it from top to bottom.

“People matter,” Nakano said. “From the coaches I choose to coach with to the type of players we want in the program…[all of it] is super important. Everyone plays their role…and sacrifices their time and energy to make [it] successful.”

As someone who has been a part of the program since her freshman year, senior captain Jade Ramirez understands the importance of preserving team standards.

“The standards never drop no matter who comes [or] who leaves,” Ramirez said. “[This year,] I want to take underclassmen under my wing… that way when I leave, they can continue where we left off.”

With the current season underway and influx of new players, Ramirez acknowledges that this season will test her leadership abilities.

“As a captain, I have to be someone the team can approach when they need something,” Ramirez said. “I want them to trust me. You have to be on them…but you also need to be comforting and…nurture them.”

As one of the new faces, senior transfer Ava Uhrich wants to step in and make sure her impact is felt immediately. “I’ve always admired [Pinewood’s] style of play and com

petitiveness,” Uhrich said. “Because this is my first season [here], I want to contribute to the program and play a part in their success.”

With all the new players, however, comes its challenges. Learning how to be a sponge, as Scheppler calls it, is crucial to growth. Everyone needs to soak up, embrace, and embody everything that Pinewood stands for in order to win.

“It’s going to be [challenging], but we’re excited because of the chemistry we have on and off the court,” Uhrich said.

Along with learning how to play with cohesion and synergy, another quality that often gets overlooked is playing with joy, and Pinewood epitomizes just this.

“You play because you love the game and you love being part of something bigger than yourself,” Nakano said. “There’s a beauty in that, and we have that collective group of people [here].”

When everyone is on the same page and plays with the joy that Nakano mentioned, magical things are bound to happen.

Spinner: “To Every Student at Pinewood.... Play That Sport”

By PEYTON SPINNER Staff Writer

The last time I played a competitive soccer game was on my elementary school field. It wasn’t a full-sized field, nor was it painted with line markings, but rather a massive grass area divided into four different soccer pitches, each sepa rated and marked with four orange cones. It was fourthgrade American Youth Soccer Association, where our dads were the coaches, referees, or even both. I played for the Blue Ninja Pandas, the name my team chose, thinking it was the coolest thing in the world.

Eight years later, I am now a senior. I have played tennis all four years of high school but have nev er even tried another sport during my time on campus. You won’t find a bigger Pinewood sports supporter than me. Whether at basketball or football, you will almost always spot me in the Panther Pit or on the sideline. I have always want ed to try one of these sports, but like many of you are now, I was an exhausted high school student just trying to stay on top of my assignments with out the time or motivation needed to commit myself to a team.

Last year I watched the Pinewood boy’s soc cer team have an incredible season. Since most of the group consisted of many of my closest friends, I heard nonstop about how much fun they were having and how we needed to watch their games. I wanted to be a part of this excitement and went to the fol lowing three home games, each more exciting than the last. I saw how much of a blast each player was having, whether on the field or celebrating from the bench. I wished I could be on the team, but knew it was too late as the season was winding down.

However, my excitement to join the team this year faded. The stress of senior year courses on top of college applications has made this semester the most challenging and daunting few months of my life. I thought there was no way I could dedicate any of my time to another sport.

This changed a few months ago. With the season approaching, the team’s chatter and excitement surfaced again. My friends started talking about it and eventually were able to convince me to join. The schedule has aligned perfectly for me, as many of my college applications are due on the same day the season begins. With this weight off my back, I could not be more excited to run out onto the field for the first day of practice.

I am not writing this article just to tell you about my story and life; I am writing this article to inspire you to take the leap I am. Whether you are a seventh-grader, a freshman, or a senior, it is never too late to put yourself out there and join something. That’s the beautiful thing about Pinewood: you can make your time on campus whatever you want it to be.

By JAKE REYNDERS Staff Writer

In three weeks, the world’s biggest sporting event will take place in one of the world’s most stringent countries. A country where its citizens are killed. A country where people with same-sex relations are jailed for up to seven years. A country where women require permission to marry.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is surrounded by controversy. When the small Middle Eastern nation was selected as host in 2010, a project that would change the lives of thousands began. A project that would cost $229 billion and kill over 6,500 migrant workers in the process.

Over the past 12 years, 30,000 foreign laborers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and the Philippines have arrived in Qatar to construct seven state-of-the-art stadiums. In search of better pay, these men have left their families to enter a country that puts their lives in danger.

Qatar has a labor system known as Kafala, which has been described as a modern-day form of slavery. Essentially, it ties migrant workers’ legal status in the country to their employers. Examples of Kafala include frequent passport confiscations, unpaid wages, and massive recruitment fees that leave workers in debt for years. Kafala also bans absconding, meaning workers require the permission of their employers to leave their jobs. Along with these heavy restrictions, the living conditions provided for these migrant workers have drawn wide criticism. Workers are forced into tight, poorly built quarters with limited clean water and multiple hazardous

Mohammad Shahid Miah, a 23-yearold man from Bangladesh, was asleep in his labor camp when water from heavy rains flooded his living quarters. The water made contact with exposed electricity cables, electrocuting and killing him.

I have no idea how good I will be. Heck, I haven’t even played since I was nine, but this doesn’t matter to me. Whether I go out and play great or go out there every day to improve, have fun, and encourage my teammates, I know I am doing something that makes me proud. I want to graduate with no regrets…no sadness due to not doing something I wished I had done.

I advise you to listen to your peers’ words of encouragement. Don’t be scared to put yourself out there. Do what makes you proud. If you had told me a year ago I would be preparing to play soccer, I would not have believed you. I even had to convince my mom to let me play last weekend.

To every student at Pinewood, take that risk, play that sport, or join that club. Time in high school goes by faster than you could ever imagine, so put yourself out there, and you won’t regret it.

With the growing calls for relocation, the attention turns to FIFA. When they decided on Qatar as host, they knew the country’s laws and human rights policies. They knew of the civil injustice going on in the country, and despite their supposed firm stance against homophobia and human rights violations, they chose Qatar against all moral ethics.

Twelve years ago, FIFA made a decision that would change the public perception of soccer for years to come. People would be killed, lives would be altered, and protests would be held. Despite this, FIFA has been in this for the money all along, without any regard for the effect it has had on thousands of lives. Although there is so much uncertainty ahead, one thing is clear: Qatar does not deserve to host the 2022 World Cup.

PHOTO BY GABBY YANG

LEADERSHIP IN ACTION: Freshman Lita Fakapelea and Senior Jade Ramirez in practice

PHOTO BY: SAM JEZAK

SKYLAR CHUI

Change In The Future

By SIMON BRAUN Staff Writer

Climate change can sometimes seem hopeless. It occasionally appears as though the world is almost about to end, as though we’re about to sink into a hole filled with our nightmares and our horrible dreams. However, a report released by The New York Times this year shows that global warming might not be as tragic as we thought it would be.

For years now, many climate change activists have been showing us numbers that indicate a world of apocalyptic futures. They have shown us frigid temperatures that will reach well below zero degrees, among other terrifying statements. While these statements are made to get our attention and grab the headlines, climate change is still a major issue. People need to pay attention to global warming. It is, after all, a serious threat to our world, and to the people that reside in it.

However, there have been many technological improvements over the years discovered by massive corporations, such as Vestas Wind Systems, and First Solar, Inc. that have used these developments to benefit the world or themselves. The end result is that global warming looks a lot closer than it once did, but it also doesn’t look so apocalyptic in terms of temperature increase. According to the New York Times, temperatures are likely to increase by 1.5% to 3% rather than the previously projected 7%. Well, how did we get here?

The answer to that question is that society has continued to make improvements, like it always does. Renewable energy has become extremely affordable over these last couple years, to a miraculous extent. Companies are desperately attempting to seize a new market that will open up great economic opportunities for them and allow them to make more money. The other thing that has caused a decrease in temperature predictions is a less apocalyptic outcry.

For years now, many researchers have been attempting to gain the attention of the public, desperately attempting to get people to listen to the idea that there might be a future in which humans die out. Now, people are listening. People are looking up from their seats and seeing the effects of global warming around them. Scientists and climate activists are currently less focused on getting the attention of the public, and are now releasing reports that are more accurate to the legitimate ways that global warming will affect planet Earth. Our future is not bright, but it is not dark with the death of billions of people. It will be laden with our responsibilities, as we continue to struggle against global warming and attempt to clean up

Country Music: Yeehaw Or Naw?

By PRISHA MOHAPATRA Copy Editor

Fine, I admit it: I’m a country music fan. Contrary to popular belief, country music is not only about tractors, boots, and beer; in fact, there is so much that goes into the genre besides the stereotypi cal cowboy song. Sometimes I wonder if people avoid country music in fear of what other people will think of them. Perhaps they simply haven’t found the right artist yet or believe they cannot relate to the stories that are eloquently told through the melodies. However, if you listen closely, these songs contain something for everyone. From a classic John ny Cash song to a Morgan Wallen hit, the presence of life lessons, stories of family, and most importantly, a sense of comfort and nostalgia is undoubtedly prominent. I would love to spread my passion for country music for the following reasons.

It brings back nostalgic memories

Since I was little, I have grown up listening to country music. I have vivid memories of my dad and I going on long drives in the rain, singing along with Toby Keith or John Denver. In those moments, it was just us and the music. I also remember going to summer camps and forging bonds with my counselors through singers like Carrie Underwood or Dolly Parton. Times like these have shaped who I am, and the soundtrack that played in the background of my childhood drives my passion for music, especially country. For me, country music gives me a sense of home and comfort.

It sends the message of defying stereotypes

When I first tell people I listen to country music, their initial reaction is usually a combination of disgust, disappointment, and curiosity. Many envision country music to be unwelcoming or foreign. This is due to the perception that it often has a political connotation. In reality, it truly is a melting pot of cultures, and anyone can enjoy it. This hidden truth behind the mask of what is perceived to be country music has to be discussed more often to eliminate the stigma around it.

The sense of family

Finally, country music contains messages about unity and family, a topic I believe we find particularly important at Pinewood. Here, this sense of community is instilled in students. This message and lesson of family teaches us to love and look out for each other. Kacey Musgraves agrees that “your friends come in handy, but family is family,” and I believe that this message is extremely important for our school, where we value the bonds that we forge as a family. While many don’t quite understand it yet, I hope to spread the popularity of country music and with it, the message of love and community that it conveys.

Whether you are a country, rap, rhythm and blues, or rock fan, it’s hard to deny the familial sense of unity and love that country music spreads. Much like legend Luke Bryan, “I believe most people are good,” and we can take this lesson and many others from country music artists and apply them in our lives. So, if you decide to listen to some country and find a song, email me your favorite country song at 25pmohapatra@pinewood.edu!

Prisha’s Favorite Country Song: Orange And White by Connor Smith

Panda Express’s Meditative Experience

By JAMIE BURTON Staff Writer

What is the best fast food restaurant? It depends on whether you want an easy answer or a truthful one. It depends on whether you value political-correctness or vulnerable honesty. It depends on whether you, as an individual, are capable of exploration, and capable of change.

I suppose one could choose the safe route; one could say In-N-Out or Chipotle and be on their sheepish way. But the trailblazing figures of history did not break barriers nor change lives by taking the easy way out. When the controversial dust settles, and all is said and done, only one rightful heir to the fast food throne remains. One restaurant that goes by the simple name of Panda Express.

Since its humble beginnings, Panda Express has put its investment in the customer, and not just through delicious dishes. This is what sets it apart from the competition. In-andOut, Chipotle, and others all merely sell food. Panda Express sells peace of mind.

The magical experience begins with humble yet inviting interior design,

accented by clean lighting and neu tral colors, in voking a state of self-reflection within the cus tomer as they enter through the sturdy double doors. Empower ing proverbs decorate the slate walls, and give the consumer a meditative refuge from the stressors of the outside world. They lend the consumer a chance to step back, take a deep breath inward, and peacefully return to the experience at hand. Finally, as in school and life itself, the customer is faced with an impending test as the line ushers forward: the complex question of what to order.

But herein lies the true intrinsic beauty of Panda Express: what you order simply does not matter. The champion emphasis is not on preselected mixtures, but rather personal growth and enlightenment. Every dish, from the door to the register, translates unique wisdom from a culture lost

in time. From within the spiritual confines of the Orange Chicken and Honey Walnut Shrimp emerges the blissful opportunity to travel the world and back again, to find perspective and peace through curiosity. Each recipe brings a new story, and each flavor a new state of mind.

Upon checking out, a fortune cookie is included with your meal, free of charge. This is not by coincidence. So all I ask of you, is the next time you get that little cookie, after having a good chuckle at the fortune inside, try to go back and read it once more. Think about the clean lighting and the calming walls. Think about the short proverbs, and the temporary refuge they provide. Strive for new wisdom and new peace; strive for a new state of mind.

In the end, Panda Express is a good fast-food joint because of what it puts in the customer’s stomach. What makes it the very best is the lasting impact of self-reflection it leaves in the customer’s soul.

ILLUSTRATION BY AERON LO

ILLUSTRATION BY SKYLAR CHUI

The Downfall of Stanford Football

By NATE MARTIN Sports Editor

I was raised to be respectful and open-minded, and to be a Stanford University football fan. And I do certainly try to keep in mind these values while watching the team I’ve rooted for my entire life completely fall apart. A team that my father and I would illegally stream while living in Sydney, Australia. A team that my family bought season tickets for. A team that has completely lost any sense of identity it once had.

I say this coming from a place of love. Stanford football has been a massive part of my life, with players like Andrew Luck, Shayne Skov, and Christian McCaffrey being role models for me. However, these glory days are long gone. It is now been seven years since Stanford’s last appearance in the Rose Bowl, one of the most prestigious college football games. Now, they have only won one conference game in the last calendar year. This sharp downward spiral in a short span has led many to ask the question: what happened to Stanford football?

For starters, the new era of college athletics is not one that advantages a school like Stanford. The transfer portal is naturally hard for such a selective school. But this hasn’t hindered them from recruiting high school players, as the team is still getting some of the top-ranked recruits in the country to commit. Instead, what it comes

down to is the current culture surrounding the team under head coach David Shaw.

When Shaw was hired as head coach, he carried over a culture from former coach Jim Harbaugh that emphasized winning the battle of the trenches and playmakers on both sides of the ball. This could all be summed up into the phrase “intellectual brutality” which became a hallmark for the program.

However, all signs of this are gone and replaced by a team that assumes it can win while following the same philosophy that worked five years ago. The reality is that they cannot. Shaw’s inability and unwillingness to make adjustments changes to his coaching staff or playbook after multiple losing seasons is outrageous. Yet somehow, he is still one of the highest paid coaches in the country.

The sad truth is that Shaw’s not going anywhere. Nor should he. I can’t think of a better man to coach Stanford football.

However, if he wants to get Stanford back into the national spotlight instead of being the punching bag of the Pac-12, then there has to be serious changes to the culture of Stanford football.

Examining Pinewood’s Sex Ed

By KARINA ARONSON Editor-in-Chief

Everyone’s been there: a school gym or classroom resounding with awkward giggles and filled with students attempting to look everywhere but the lecturer discussing sexual education.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines sexual education curricula as programs that “provide students with the knowledge and skills to help them be healthy and avoid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and unintended pregnancy.”

Within the U.S., sex ed curricula are neither federally mandated nor uniform. Astonishingly, HIV education in public school is required in only 39 states and the District of Columbia; further baffling is the fact that only 22 of those states are obligated to have medically accurate information.

Ultimately, based on where students live, the information and scope of education that they receive can be entirely different.

Pinewood’s curriculum follows material from the Health Education Content Standards for California. In high school, for two weeks, in place of physical education, both freshmen and sophomores attend sex ed courses, although juniors and seniors do not.

Additionally, both seventh and eighth graders receive basic facts about reproduction. Before each sex ed unit, school counselor Stephanie Fugita sends out an email explain-

ing that the goal of the program is to “promote positive choices by teaching the skills necessary to weigh options, make decisions and develop behaviors that will lead to healthy lifestyles. Students will be encouraged to assess their attitudes and behavior patterns to understand the impact that their choices have on their own well-being and their community.”

During the approximately hour and a half teaching spent specifically on sex ed, Fugita focuses on reproduction, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, medical prevention of STIs, and safety while engaging students in extensive conversations about consent in another unit.

“Even though most of our students share that they are not sexually active and don’t plan to be anytime soon, we feel it is essential for them to have the same details that their same-age peers are getting in other schools so they do not get incorrect or false information,” Fugita said in an email.

Although Pinewood does teach a comprehensive curriculum, we have been finding that there are gaps in our knowledge. In September, juniors and seniors attended a presentation arranged by senior Natasha Moretti in which University of California San Francisco’s Dr. Laura Casalegno talked about HIV and AIDs awareness as well as prevention.

Moretti saw a need for education beyond our sex ed programs because of stigma she saw on campus.

Dumping a NEW Dumpling Column

By KARINA ARONSON, SAM HSIUNG, SALLY KING, & SOPHIA YAO Editors-in-Chief, Editorial Director, & Opinion

We’ve set out to expand our cultural culinary exposure, naturally forcing some of the Perennial editorial staff to try different types of dumplings. Our fascination with dumplings comes from their versatility as a pocket of dough. Hypothetically, you could put anything in that pocket and call it a dumpling. Over the course of the next year, we hope to sample various dumplings including perogies, empanadas, and hot pockets.

This month, we ate at Fu Lam Mum, a Cantonese style restaurant in downtown Mountain View where people lined the streets and overflowed out of the restaurant, eager to snag a table and the attention of the waiters pushing around carts steaming with delectable aromas.

What is special about dim sum?

KA: Apart from the amazing food, dim sum restaurants remind me of family gatherings and eating out with my grandparents. There’s something comforting about the fish tanks, carts laden with steamers, and slightly sticky chairs.

SH: It’s scrumptious! Absolutely delicious! Amazing on so many different levels! It’s also (more often than not) pretty cheap, so for people like me who are broke, it’s the perfect meal.

SK: THEY HAD CARTS ROLLING AROUND WITH FOOD ON THEM! HOW COOL IS THAT!

“I remember in a social studies class I was in when the word HIV and AIDS was mentioned . . . there was just an absolutely visceral reaction of fear in kids’ eyes,” Moretti said.

Beyond informing students of prevention and treatment tactics, Moretti’s goal was to reduce stigma and misinformation surrounding the topic.

For example, in a pre-presentation survey, more than a third of students answered that they thought HIV could be transferred through kissing, a long-held misconception about HIV.

“I didn’t want to instill fear in people,” Moretti said. “I just wanted to give them the knowledge so that they could make more informed decisions and reduce HIV stigma.”

Given the statistics above, are we being adequately prepared? While there will always be misconceptions perpetuated about stigmatized topics, with this topic specifically, there’s a need for more education.

Casalegno’s presentation not only touched on the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDs but also focused on the scientific aspect of it, explaining how the virus worked and emphasizing forms of treatment. That depth of knowledge along with the re-emphasis of similar information we learned in health classes is essential.

While the administration is focusing on implementing supplemental health education presentations from the Young Women’s...

SY: There’s such a big variety of foods and textures to try. If you want something sticky, crunchy, jiggly, or slimy, dim sum has you covered. They also have a great variety of savory and sweet treats, so you can get anything from a shrimp dumpling to a sweet bean bun.

What was the best item? Why?

KA: I can never say no to a xiao long bao. They’re magical because, between the dumpling skin and the soup inside, there are so many different tastes and textures packed into one ball of deliciousness.

SH: The xiao long bao, for sure. It’s a classic, and I eat them almost every week because my mom always makes them at home for me — but the ones at the restaurant were subtly different from my mom’s in terms of ingredients. It was cool to kind of compare the two tastes.

SK: Definitely the lo mai gai. It was filled perfectly with mouth watering sticky rice and egg; however, it was hard to eat with chopsticks (I was just poking it apart lol).

SY: The lo mai gai! Although unwrapping the steamed lotus leaf can be a bit of a challenge, it makes you feel like you’ve worked for the sticky rice and pork once you get there. It feels like a little reward! It’s the perfect texture and just the right amount of savory and an all around very good time.

For people who haven’t tried dim sum before, do you have any tips?

KA: Be open to trying everything!

SH: Don’t volunteer to pour tea for everyone if you suck at pouring tea because I did and spilled the tea all over the table.

SK: Go with someone who has been there before — they know all the secrets (and how to order)!

SY: They like to hide eggs in everything. Like just the yolk. Sometimes cooked, sometimes not. It’s not very good when it catches you by surprise. Stay safe out there.

After Delay, NASA’s SLS Is Scheduled For Launch

By ROHAN PARASNIS Staff Writer

After over six years of delays, NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) is scheduled to lift off in early November. When it comes to space travel, every measure of caution

Honors Biology 2 Introduces New Research Project

By ANDREW WANG Staff Writer

Science Department Chair Kim Hudson has incorporated an unprecedented research project into the Honors Biology 2 curriculum. This project will double as the students’ second semester final exam, which they will

around building skills specific to conducting research.

“I want students to practice using scientific papers, or primary literature, because it is a shock to go off to college and suddenly have to use those kinds of resources,” Hudson said. “There is a lot of vocabulary and

By LARA PARIKH Staff Writer

Eighth Grade Play, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical,” Comes to Pinewood

By ADDISON PARENTI Staff Writer

The annual eighth grade musical is in the works, and if “nautical nonsense be something you wish,” come watch “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.” The show is an adaptation of the “SpongeBob SquarePants” television show and takes place in the well-known Bikini Bottom. The show begins as a typical Bikini Bottom day but life takes a twist when Perch Perkins the news reporter predicts a volcano, Mount Humongous, will erupt within 48 hours and everyone is ordered to stay inside. Instead of following instructions, SpongeBob wants to prove that he’s not “just a simple sponge” and attempts to save the day.

While a typical school musical is rehearsed after school, the eighth grade musical meets during school hours because it’s a performing arts elective. The class gives students the opportunity to explore musical theater without having to miss after-school activities. Eighth grader Ryan Gustavson, who plays SpongeBob, enjoys having rehearsal during class time.

“It’s a fun break from normal classes [because] you can move your body around and it’s fun to hang out with [friends],” Gustavson said.

Director Carrie McRobbie also enjoys introducing the students to the performing arts world and partnering with Performing Arts Department Chair Katie Linza.

“We divide and conquer,” McRobbie said. “Everyone has something to do during rehearsal. The end of class

is like a show and tell where we put together and show each other what we’ve been working on.”

Eighth grader Claire Wu, who plays Sandy Cheeks the Squirrel, has really appreciated the divide-and-conquer approach.

“It’s more professional than middle campus… and we

Tech Theater: Behind the Scenes

By

Three important aspects of tech theater class are paint, power tools, and the storage shed previously harboring rats, according to junior and tech theater student Bridget Rees.

Technical theater is an interactive high school elective that focuses on constructing sets and prop pieces for Pinewood’s theater performances. The students, led by teacher Doug Eivers, spend their class periods measuring, building, and painting the sets that bring the school plays to life. Eivers teaches them how to safely work with tools such as wood, saws, and heavy machinery and helps them hone their artistic skills.

“I’ve learned a lot of things, like painting and . . . little things, like how to not strip screws,” Rees said.

Tech theater class is great for students who enjoy drama but shy away from the spotlight, as their art does the performing for them. Students get to contribute to theatrical performances and see their creations

shine on stage but can avoid the scrutiny of a live audience as they work.

“I like designing things, and I like painting and building things hands-on,” Rees said. “I really wanted to be involved with musicals, but I’m not a performer. . . . It’s really cool . . . going to shows with my families and pointing out something and being like, ‘Look, I built that!’”

Teamwork is also a huge part of the class.

“Usually I’m not very good at teamwork . . . but tech theater helps,” Rees said. “Everyone can find their own way to contribute to something.”

Sophomore and fellow tech theater student Rose Xu described how the class improved everyone’s abilities to work under pressure and adapt to failure.

“I think the key thing this class has taught me is how to come up with solutions despite failure,” Xu said. “I had a great time in this class last year and made several unforgettable memories with my peers.”

never really worked on music and it’s different [focusing more] on music,” Wu said.

“SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical” will be at the Pinewood Upper Campus theater from 7-9 p.m. on Dec. 7-10. Tickets will be available through the Student Weekly Notes.

Skylar Chui: Artistic Icon

By ARETHA LIU Staff Writer

Wielding a paintbrush in her hand, senior Skylar Chui is often seen in the Pinewood art room depicting intricate pieces that most hands can only dream of doing. But it has not always been easy for Chui to create such masterpieces in short durations of time.

Although Chui said she has enjoyed art since second grade, she really started honing her art skills when she took Art Independent Study her sophomore year. Other than having taken a few art classes at Pinewood, however, Chui is completely self-taught and now takes AP Studio Art.

“[Art] doesn’t feel like work,” Chui said. “It feels more like something I can do to relax and forget about things. . . . I don’t feel unproductive because I’m actually creating something.”

Chui said that creating art comes naturally for her and is not some boring chore to be done, even when it is an assignment. She said her cousin Katherine Chui, who grad uated from Pinewood in 2020, is her biggest inspiration.

“One time during Halloween . . . , [Katherine] came over to my house and she grabbed a piece of paper and taught me how to draw a pencil-realistic eye,” Chui said. “[After that], a little trick of mine was that I can draw an eye in class, so then I started learning to draw all the different parts of the face.”

This initial spark eventually

led to Chui looking up tutorials on how to paint and sketch various things, Chui said.

Though Chui primarily paints semi-realistic art, she enjoys drawing cartoons too, which are influenced by her love for graphic novels. Chui has always loved graphic novels not only because of their stories, but because they provided her references for how to draw gestures, which she utilizes in her paintings.

Besides creating art as a personal hobby, Chui also uses her talents to contribute in various forms within the Pinewood community. Her art has been featured heavily in Tabula Rasa, the school’s literary arts magazine, and she also serves as the Creative Director for the Perennial. Chui has also won numerous awards for her art, with the most recent one being a Scholastic award.

While Chui said she will not be majoring in art, she also said she plans on taking art classes in college and sticking with art even after college.

PHOTO BY COLIN TERNUS

KATIE MAIER Staff Writer

PHOTO BY KAELYN SMITH

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS! The eighth grade theater class rehearses songs for their play.

TECHIES Tech theater students paint a set piece during class.

Hot Off the Press: Overheard at Pinewood

By ARJUN KELKAR Staff Writer

Many things are said on campus everyday; whether it is during a lesson in a classroom or at the lunch table, there are many jokes and witty comments made. The Perennial’s new “Overheard at Pinewood” column seeks to appreciate some of these comments and remind students to find little nuggets of joy in their long, busy days.

“Time moves slower with a mask on.” A group of students sit around a table on the Murphy Patio during lunch questioning the way time functions.

“All these ‘your mom’ comments lately have been out of pocket.” A student is greeted with an influx of “your mom” jokes while peacefully standing outside of room 17 and things get personal.

“You don’t need a license to hit someone with a truck.” Studiously sitting in a science classroom, a class engages in an academic discussion about automobiles

“I don’t always try to be cool. The whole universe is cool. It’s the warm bits that matter.” While future computer scientists clack away on trinket. io, their teacher always reminds them of one crucial piece of advice.

“You know, we really should respect our parents. They passed literature without SparkNotes.” As the junior class reads “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain, they not only analyze the significance of vernacular used in the novel, but grow a deeper appreciation for their parents as well.

“Maybe math teachers are just pirates using us to find the X.” Calculus students do not just stop at finding the proofs of formulas—their critically-thinking minds want to find a proof for math itself.

ILLUSTRATION BY SKYLAR CHUI

Sexual Education

Continued from Page 5. . .

Christian Association (YWCA), a non-religous organization that strives to empower and offer resources for marginalized communities, many of those presentation topics concern emotional well being, sexual assault prevention, or gender dynamics. None of the presentation topics for the 22-23 school year address sex education specifically. Fugita shared that she hopes, in the future, Pinewood will implement a specific health elective so that students can receive further instruction and exploration of these issues.

Ultimately, comprehensive sex education prepares us for our future. Reemphasizing conversations surrounding sex ed topics for upperclassmen is important because it will only help Pinewood equip us with in-depth knowledge and resources so we can make informed decisions.

“It’s really important because your health matters [and] your partner’s health matters,” Moretti said. “You evolve and adapt as a person and you’re going to be faced with new situations and new relationship dynamics. If you have ongoing knowledge, then you’re going to know how to protect your own well-being and your partner’s well-being.”

Expanding Equity: Pinewood’s DEI Committee

By CHRISTINA TANASE Staff Writer

Although Pinewood’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee has experienced changes in the past year, it is anything but new.

Established in 2019, the committee aspires to create an inclusive community where individuality is honored and each member feels a sense of belonging. As of now, Pinewood’s Upper Campus remains the only campus with a complete DEI committee, while the Lower and Middle Campus have a director.

“The committee as a whole, we work to evaluate the community needs, identify relevant partners, and promote campus community values,” Head of Upper Campus and DEI Committee member Gabriel Lemmon said.

Pinewood’s Upper Campus remains the only campus with a complete DEI committee, led by DEI Consultant Ramon Javier and, formerly, DEI Director Jackee Bruno. The DEI committee consists of staff and administration members including Gabriel Lemmon, Haley Hemm, Olivia Bradley, Carolyn Siegel, Eric Schreiber, Rob Bergenstock, Sarah Prestwood, Jyoti Sicina and Stephanie Fugita.

When Bruno left Pinewood last school year, it introduced new priorities to the committee.

“With Jackee leaving, now the DEI committee’s role is to continue the vision statement we came up with, Ramon and Jackee to make sure that we are working towards it,” Hemm said.

Although goals are not set in stone, the committee wants to focus on professional development surrounding DEI for the committee itself, along with other faculty and staff during the 22-23 school year.

“[The DEI Committee] is doing our own [professional development], while meeting the needs of the community,” Lemmon said.

The committee aims to continue celebrating different cultures in the Pinewood community through traditions such as the Diwali celebration or through

potential implementation of affinity groups. They would also like to restructure the committee, taking the absence of a director into account.

“We thought it was really important to keep the committee going with the interest of concerns around diversity and inclusivity,” Fugita said.

After Bruno departed last spring, the committee began searching for someone to step into the DEI head position. With Bruno gone, the entire committee is now in charge of fulfilling the responsibilities the former director held. The current approach of the committee is to split these obligations among all of its members.

Committee members emphasized that they want to take this process slowly, taking thought and time to pick out their next director.

“It definitely needs to be someone who has the cultural competency to help move Pinewood forward in the right way,” Lemmon said. “It would be someone that would meet us where we are and help inspire us to move forward.”

Administrators-in-Action Assistant Head of Upper Campus Haley Hemm poses for a photo

Administrators-inAction Upper Campus Counselor Stephanie Fugita poses for a photo

Marine Exploration: Pinewood’s Ocean Ambassadors Club

By VISHESH RANGANATHAN Staff Writer

Out of the many clubs currently active at Pinewood, only a handful truly strive to make a change in the world. One such club is the Ocean Ambassadors Club which was started during the 2021-22 school year by Assistant Principal and club advisor Haley Hemm, and alumna Saavri Biswal ‘22. It was created in an effort to enhance students’ knowledge of the ocean.

Hemm is very passionate about the club and its positive impact on the ocean.

“The club’s purpose is to learn about the ocean and how we can protect it through exposure and experience,” Hemm said. “We want to ultimately make Pinewood a place that protects the ocean.”

Since the club’s inception, their goals have stayed the same. Club members strive for people to develop a lasting love for the ocean, something club leader and junior Makena Matula hopes to spread.

“[Our main goal] is to foster a love for the ocean . . . and introduce people to the beauty of the ocean,” Makena said.

Unlike most clubs at Pinewood, the Ocean Ambassadors Club holds monthly meetings outside of school, where members partake in various ocean related events. From beach cleanups to bird watching, both Matula and Hemm always make sure that their members grow their love for the ocean.

Matula strives to plan events that are fun and interesting, but that also provide an educational experience. For example, Matula is currently coordinating with a co-curator at the California Academy of Sciences to attend a tidepooling excursion with the club.

“We are going kayaking, having surfing lessons, shark watching and much more planned for the future, which I am really excited for,” Matula said.

With Hemm and Matula leading the way, the Ocean

Ambassadors Club shows no signs of slowing down, and seem to be fulfilling their purpose while doing it in the most engaging ways possible.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PINEWOOD

MARINE EXPLORERS Pinewood’s Ocean Ambassadors Club took a whalewatching trip to Monterey Bay on Oct. 2, 2022 where they came across a humpback whale.

PHOTOS BY MAKENA MATULA