pointer press valentine's issue 2025

PointerPress

Pointer Press Staff

Editorial and Writing Staff:

Sophia Abernathy

Rennie Anderson

Ava Brennan

Isis Brown

Roy Bucher

Jaselle Cahill

Zoe Celestin

Tana Coulon

Danya Do

Alexa Fernandez

Ella George

Sunny Gray

Kianna Hughes

Annabelle Hullinger

Valerie Johnson

Naveah Lemus Robles

Maggie McAteer

Sloan Kleven McGann

Chance McGinley-Kase

Eleanor McGinness

Lily Peavey

Bella Pechtel

Hannah Smith

Cormac Sullivan

Celia Thome

Anna Wang

Nicole Witt

Josh Yochum

Isabelle Zarrin

Abraham Zipp

Design/Layout: Isabelle Zarrin

Social Media Manager: Ava Brennan Cover Art: Isabelle Zarrin

Creative Writing Cover Art: Anna Wang

monthly columns

Principal’s Profile with Mr. Jaffe

By Sloan Kleven McGann

Mr Jaffe’s path to becoming a high school principal was not a simple one. He attended UCLA and expected to be a lawyer. Instead, right out of college he worked at Lewis Middle School as a campus assistant. After volunteering as a tutor for high schoolers, Mr. Jaffe became a 7th and 8th grade history teacher. With that experience, he was driven to become an administrator because he wanted to affect the culture of the school at a larger level.

Now Principal Jaffe has big plans for Point Loma in the upcoming years. He wants to establish a comprehensive college and career center. He would like to create an advisory team including staff, students, and parents to figure out what that could look like. Additionally, Mr. Jaffe would like to add an Honors Integrated Math III course, possibly as soon as next school year. This would give sophomores and juniors an opportunity to take a weighted math class as a viable option to Advanced Integrated Math III.

Mr. Jaffe would also like to expand the theatre program.

“We need to build our theatre program. Because right now it is running basically as a club; and at a school like this, it needs to be part of the school,” he said Another issue that Mr. Jaffe would like to address is student phone use. During the interview, he pointed out a table of students eating lunch. and yet very much the same as when he attended. He thinks that the intent is the same.

“If you take a look right now, take a look at the people sitting at these tables here, all these guys are sitting on a phone. And there are ten of them sitting there not having conversations with each other. Just sitting on a phone.”

According to Principal Jaffe, high school is very different,

“People come into high school with the hopes that there is some interest in something, that they learn about themselves. That academics can lead them into the next phases of their lives.” But he thinks that social media makes our high school experiences very different.

“Information about stuff is just constant. And a lot of it is negative stuff. It is really difficult to handle.”

Mr. Jaffe thinks that freshmen realize during the first semester that everything they do in school goes on a transcript. “Now it's really time to start thinking about: what am I interested in? What academic areas am I interested in? What extracurricular things am I interested in?”

Mr. Jaffe strongly believes that high school is all about getting involved, and that if you do things that you enjoy, you can have a great high school experience.

New Staff Member of the Month

By Maggie McAteer

After the loss of multiple Spanish teachers last year, Point Loma High School hired several new ones. One of the hires is Ms. Heenan, who now teaches Spanish 1/2 and 5/6. Although she only began teaching at Point Loma shortly after the beginning of the school year, she has quickly become beloved by her students.

Freshman Gio Victor explained that, “She makes her class very engaging and fun for the students.”

Another freshman, Chance McGinley-Kase, shared that, “she’s quirky but enjoyable.”

Sitting down to talk with her made it clear that she cares a lot about teaching, including the well-being of her students creating a positive environment for them.

Ms. Heenan attended the University of Oregon, where she studied geography and Spanish. She only knew she wanted to go into teaching after attending her father’s memorial and seeing the impact he made over the years as a teacher on his students. After getting her teaching credentials, Ms. Heenan taught in Santa Barbara for six years.

She explained that initially she wanted to teach history, but the district was in dire need of Spanish teachers so that’s where she ended up. Even though she “really just fell into it,” she shared that now, “I can’t see myself being a history teacher anymore. ” the AmeriCorps/Peace Corps programs). There, Ms. Heenan helped students connect with nonprofit organizations where they could intern and earn some money while volunteering locally.

An experience that opened her eyes to the possibility of language was studying abroad in Oviedo, a city in Northern Spain. She said, “it opened my eyes to the possibility of language,” including being able to make new friends when travelling.

After moving to San Diego in 2022, she was employed at UCSD, where she worked as the assistant director for the College Corps program (associated with the AmeriCorps/Peace Corps programs). There, Ms. Heenan helped students connect with

So far, she has found PLHS very different from her last school. “The students are different [in comparison to her students in Santa Barbara],” Ms. Heenan said. “You would think the culture is similar but it's not.”

Nevertheless, despite the adjustment, she said that her students are “ so lovely” and that she has “loved [her] time getting to know the Point Loma student body and [she hopes] to see and get to know more of them.” If anyone has questions about college, particularly UCSD or University of Oregon, or volunteering, Ms. Heenan says students are welcome to come and chat with her. She is also available as an advisor if anyone has new clubs they wish to start for the second semester.

Staff Member of the Month: Profe Moreno

By Lily Peavey

In his classes of Spanish 3-4, Spanish Speakers 5-6, and Honors Spanish 7-8, Profe tends to have fun and let his personality shine through. Instead of handing out a worksheet and reciting a lecture, he strives to form connections with his students-- something, he says, that is his favorite part of the job. “I would think it’s the connections with people, probably.” Profe Moreno-- or simply “Profe,” as he calls himself-never really intended on being a teacher. He spent time unsure of what to do with his degree and settled on teaching as a way to balance both his work and his music, and has not looked back, and for good reason, too. It’d be a struggle to find a teacher who juggles as much as he does and still manages to create an entertaining class every single day while also being Point Loma’s very own badminton coach.

This isn’t just because he feels obligated to form connections with his students, either. He recalls that, “For me, [establishing connections] is more important than actually teaching… I know when I was a student, if I didn’t feel connected to my teacher, I would detach from the subject entirely, so I try to at least get to know everybody and kind of make sure I’m kind of in that realm, and I feel like learning comes secondary to that.”

Profe Moreno certainly has made all of his students feel welcome to express themselves in whatever manner they please in his classroom. Music tastes, food opinions, and even questions about the merit of eternal life have been some of the many conversation topics that have flurried around the room in the span of one class-- all of which happen in Spanish, of course.

But a Spanish teacher isn’t the only way that Profe Moreno can be defined. He’s also Point Loma’s badminton coach, a task that he confesses is far more difficult than teaching.

“My learning curve for Honors is, like, a little bit, because I already have the Spanish and I’ve done 3-4… my learning curve for badminton is a lot higher.” He goes on to add, “I almost have to be learning the

sport as I’m trying to coach it.”

So maybe he was unsure about his career choice initially, but now he embraces his job with open arms. “Of the teaching, I just think it’s kind of fun,” he says. “It’s different every day. It’s the only job I’ve had that doesn’t repeat every day. Like, it’s new because of the students.”

When asked about what he wanted to leave readers with, he simply said, “No, I don’t have anything clever to say. ”

Student Standouts: Tamara Fukumoto,

By: Anna Wang

the Judo Champion

*Article originally published in the January NJROTC Newsletter

The Student Standouts Section is a new section of the Pointer Press that will focus on the accomplishments of different Point Loma High School students. Topics may include academics, athletics, artistry, all-around or additional, as relating to the school or extracurriculars.

Anyone who has met Tamara Fukumoto knows she puts her all into everything. As an athlete and achiever, she embodies selfdiscipline.

Fukumoto’s drive is best exhibited through the sport of judo. She describes that, “Judo was created with the sole purpose of self-defense. …The two main principles are Jitakyoei and Seiryoku-zenyo, which basically means mutual respect and minimum effort, maximum result. Judo is not just about slamming your opponent to the mat, but [making] sure to not injure them majorly, by using safe technique and the use of breakfalls.”

“Judo can be used to throw all kinds of sizes …I train with mostly guys every day who range from 60-100+ kg. With the right momentum and technique, you can throw anyone over your head.”

Tamara Fukumoto, class of 2028, practicing her throws

Challenge is embedded into every aspect of the sport. “You have to be mature to learn judo because it takes lots of patience and consistency. If you aren’t disciplined to control your emotions or have an open mind, then you will not progress. ” believe in them in this way, so while the pressure is often stifling, she takes pride in it. It is a privilege to be able to honor her family through her success and to be able to compete at such a high level. It is a privilege to be able to fail and know she’ll have a second chance to work even harder, because those closest to her will never stop trusting in her potential, and she can always climb back up again. The responsibility is earned. The pressure and pride are hers, and for everything she has fought for, it is wholly deserved. For the last decade, judo has defined her life, and while it was not 4-year-old Fukumoto’s choice to try judo, she owes much of her current skills to those formative years. “I cried all the time when I was little because I was constantly losing to my teammates. …I hated judo because my dad never let me do anything else besides school, but if it weren’t for him pushing me every day, then I wouldn’t have gotten better.” But how do you learn to rise above the expectations of others? For Fukumoto, the standards are high, yet she is learning to reclaim control. Not everyone has people who can

There are many moments when failure clouds her judgment, or literal tears fog her sight. That is when she perseveres, and that is when perseverance matters; not at the height of the mountain or the restful clearing when daylight shines through, but

in the valleys of challenge and turmoil. it my whole life. I couldn’t train because of COVID, and I realized that I actually missed it. Once the restrictions lifted a little and we started practicing again, I realized that I should actually try. I started to appreciate it more and more every day, even if I was still getting beat up all over the place.” Fukumoto would continue to work hard under her father’s guidance. Day after day, she carved wood shavings off the sculpture of her mental fortress, revealing detail after detail of the final vision. Grit is what keeps the knife sharp, fortitude the incentive and the product. It isn’t easy to face inevitable losses and the loss after loss that learning must have. But does Fukumoto enjoy the grueling hours of practice? No one likes losing, but as she says, “It takes lots of losses to get a major win.”

There was a time when the losses were getting to be too much. Burnout and doubt were real for Fukumoto, and it took the distance of a forced break for her to overcome it. “When the pandemic hit, I was about 10 years old and still didn't like judo, because I felt forced to do

By getting space, Fukumoto could see things from a new perspective and reframe her relationship with the sport. Her reflection furthered her connection to it, helping her realize that it was a lifelong one.

My current goal is to make it onto the Cadet (ages 15-17) US National Team and compete in international competitions, such as PanAmericans and Worlds. …My ultimate dream is to become an Olympian and fight on the same level as my heroes,

such as the Abe siblings, and Natsumi Tsunoda. It’ll be a long road, but I’m determined to get to my destination.”

“[E]ven though you fight individually, this really is a team effort. …No one gets better on their own. ” All her training and her father’s pressure had paid off. She left with scratches and bruises, a symbol of her struggle and what she's overcome. Fukumoto recently won gold at the Winter 2024 USA Judo Youth Championship. “As I went into the final, I was literally thinking, Oh my god, put your all into this. I was freaking tired. You could see it on my face in the video.” To survive, Fukumoto had to focus only on what she could control. Her past mistakes and successes meant nothing in the seconds on the final mat. For victory, she would have to go beyond all of those thoughts, overcoming every failure and feeling of fatigue. “When I threw her, you could see my sigh of relief. It felt peaceful, it was almost satisfying.” Fukumoto played 10 matches that day, and after winning the championship went on to cheer on all of her teammates.

Fukumoto’s story is one of ambition and continual growth, of potential and progress fought for. From her, one can observe the truth, that for those who persevere, consistently and continually, no matter how small the increments, the sky becomes not a limit, but a destination. Hard work leads to new opportunities and keeps the door open to luck. The life skills Fukumoto has developed through judo will serve her in all of her endeavors, just as they already aid her in the classroom and on

drill and color guard teams today. As humble as always, she concludes that, “I still have a lot to improve on. ” There is much work to be done, yes, but the picture of her success has already begun to take form.

opinion & advice

Will Artificial Intelligence Doom Us?

By Ava Brennan

As our society continues to make more and more technological advancements, the use of artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent. Some AI programs have become household names such as Grammarly, ChatGPT, and Chatbot. In addition, many large companies have taken notice of AI’s rising popularity and have created their own AI programs, including Meta’s “Meta AI,”

Google’s “Gemini,” and Microsoft’s “Copilot.” The rapid introduction of easily accessible artificial intelligence leaves some individuals wondering if we are going too far. Does this concern hold any merit, or is it just the result of too many sci-fi movies?

The primary argument in favor of increased integration of

artificial intelligence is that AI makes life easier. The potential benefits of AI sound amazing in theory: adaptability, automation, increased efficiency, unlimited availability, elimination of human error, and cost reduction are just a few to name. While these benefits have the ability to improve the lives of millions, the detrimental effects of increased AI accessibility seem to be outweighing the positives.

One specific AI program that had many people creeped out was Meta’s celebrity look-alike chatbots. The chatbots featured the faces of several stars such as Paris Hilton, Mr. Beast, and Kendall Jenner. The chatbots

were meant to act as the celebrities’ alter ego and were given different names to the faces of the celebrities. The frequent user concern was the use of the celebrities’ likeness. Even though every celebrity featured in the AI chatbots consented to their likeness being utilized, users couldn’t help but feel that these chatbots were wrongly targeting children. The argument was that children on social media would likely think that they were truly talking to their favorite celebrity rather than a computer code. It’s not just the celebrity chatbots that are capable of causing harm. Many generative AI programs have been introduced to platforms such as Google, Snapchat, and Microsoft that could have similar risks. According to Senator Michael Bennet, “Although AI-powered chatbots come with risks for

anyone… Younger users are at an earlier stage of cognitive, emotional, and intellectual development, making them more impressionable, impulsive, and less equipped to distinguish fact from fiction.”

Bennet also expressed his concerns with some of the specific responses received from My AI. For example, researchers asked My AI how to cover bruises for Child Protective Services and the response “provided suggestions for how to lie to her parents about an

upcoming trip with a 31year-old man, ” says Bennet.

Social media has grown to be more and more accessible for young children. It’s not just teenagers on these apps anymore. A recent poll from CNN found that 32% of parents with children aged 79 years old reported their children using social media apps. These children are unable to distinguish between real content and AIgenerated content.

According to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics, healthcare professionals were only able to make correct distinctions 43% of the time on average. Given that young children have comparatively undeveloped brains, these distinctions are more challenging to make. But, perhaps one of the most terrifying outcomes of the AI renaissance is AI videos. These AI videos have been popping up on all social media platforms. Some of these videos might feature something as silly as a cat dancing while wearing a cowboy hat, but it’s the increasing realism of the videos that poses the biggest threat. As artificially generated content grows in popularity and frequency, we are likely to see the technology adapt to make detecting this type of content more difficult. AI generated videos have already proven to be extremely dangerous especially when combined with an AI generated voice. Now, it is shockingly easy for anybody to create a video of a friend, celebrity, or even a politician and create a voice that sounds nearly identical to their true voice.

The implications of this technology have already proven to be used in harmful ways with politicians and public figures having their likeness manipulated. The Federal Trade Commission even began a Voice Cloning Challenge to protect “ consumers from AI-enabled voice cloning harms including fraud and the broader misuse of biometric data and creative content.”

Over a year later, these threats to public figures still stand and have yet to be properly regulated by the government. It is clear that artificial intelligence promises endless possibilities, but a majority of these possibilities fall short when it comes to protecting the consumer. As society seems to be placed in this rapid era of progress, it is undeniable that AI’s abilities and accessibility will only increase. It is important for the government and powerful figures in our community to speak up and provide stricter regulations on the use and implementations of AI content and programs.

The US Should Create a Foreign Legion

By Abraham Zipp

Above: Legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion. The FFL is a special unit of the French Army which allows foreigners to enlist and apply for French citizenship after serving for three years or being wounded in their service (known as Français par le sang versé, or “French by spilled blood”).

The United States military faces a recruitment crisis. For the past two years, the army has failed to meet its recruitment goals.

According to Vox, the U.S. Army is smaller than it has been since before the United States entered World War II. To make matters worse, less than a quarter of young Americans are actually qualified to enlist, and only around 10% of Americans from ages 16-21 would seriously

consider enlisting. With birth rates steadily declining , the crisis is only likely to get worse. The threat of war with a country such as Iran, China, or Russia (or, judging by the rhetoric of the new president, a fellow NATO country) still looms, and low enlistment rates could become a significant national security risk, especially as President Trump alienates NATO allies

who have contributed troops to U.S. military interventions in the past. military, they must be lawful permanent residents, or “ green card holders.” The United States, however, needs to go a step further, creating a dedicated American Foreign Legion for foreigners to enlist and gain a path to citizenship or permanent residency. This would greatly help the recruiting crisis, and could even have the benefit of easing immigration issues. However, there is a solution, one that has been around for centuries and has seen use even today: creating a foreign legion. The most famous example is the French Foreign Legion, founded in 1831. Men between the ages of 17½ and 39½ are allowed to enlist in the Legion for a minimum of five years, and may apply for French citizenship after three years of service, or immediately after being wounded - known as Français par le sang versé, or “French by spilled blood.” Today, the Legion consists of around 9,000 Legionnaires. More recently, Ukraine has seen foreigners enlist to fight against Russia in their International Legion. While the U.S. allows foreign nationals to enlist in the

Around 8,000 men attempt to join the French Foreign Legion each year, at little cost to France. The Legion requires potential Legionnaires to travel to France and literally knock on their door in order to enlist, and yet they still attract plenty of volunteers. The United States, with so many people desiring U.S. citizenship, could easily attract more by offering a path to permanent residence and citizenship through a foreign legion. The American

Foreign Legion could be either a normal unit of the Army, allowing just about any applicant who meets recruitment standards, or a highly specialized unit with more selective requirements. our military capabilities in case of a large-scale war. It would be immensely beneficial for the U.S. Army to create a foreign legion.

In addition to solving the recruitment crisis, an American Foreign Legion could also help illegal immigration problems. The Trump administration has promised to carry out largescale immigration raids, and a large number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. would likely be happy to serve in the US military for five years and have a path to permanent residence and citizenship, rather than face deportation. There would be a clear benefit to creating an American Foreign Legion, helping to solve two of the biggest crises facing the United States at this time and further bolstering

Pointer Press: Advice Column

By Nevaeh Lemus Robles and Isabelle Turner Stay

It’s easy to think ahead to summer vacation when school starts getting repetitive. The days feel slower, the workload seems to get bigger, and it feels like the school year will never end. Most people would rather be at the beach enjoying a sunny day right now, but don’t get lost in the haze! The school year will be over before you know it. As you begin your second semester it's easy to fall behind and lose motivation, so here are some tips to help you stay on top of your schoolwork.

Organized

Come January, we begin to become unorganized so here are some ways to stay in order. The second semester goes by fast, so don’t let things pile up. Keep track of assignments, deadlines, and exams with a planner or app. Clean out your folders or trash you don’t need anymore for a fresh start. Try getting ahead of work instead of waiting for something to be due.

Avoid Procrastination

We all lose motivation during this time of year, but to avoid stress you should avoid procrastinating. Prioritizing school work as much as you can will help you get ahead!

Start on assignments early so you're not cramming everything last second. Try doing a little bit of an assignment each day so that your work will be efficient instead of writing an essay until midnight.

Balance School & Life

School can get overwhelming. Whether it’s the workload, your peers, or personal problems, school on top of those aspects can be a lot for us some days. Remember to put yourself first. Make time for yourself; mental health days are important in decreasing stress. It’s good to spend time with your friends and family and take breaks from what feels like the constant schoolwork. Make time for other hobbies that you enjoy.

Ask For Help From Teachers

It’s normal for people to slack on work once in a while or to feel the need to just give up on something because it's too hard or time-consuming. If you catch yourself doing this, remember teachers are here to help you with the material.

Stay Motivated

Find small wins to keep you going, whether it is spending time with friends during the weekend or even getting ice cream after school, having something to look forward to makes life so much easier.

Taking up tutoring is a great way to receive help on the things you are struggling with. Tutoring is offered within our library and would be a great way to take initiative.

Ask your teacher questions in class and after class. Sometimes, we get scared about asking our teachers questions, but it’s important to understand the information. Going to your teacher during lunch to ask specific questions is a great way to get feedback on your work and improve.

Remember that all of your hard work will pay off, and it's not for nothing! Also remember the end goal, graduation.

Limit Distractions Social media, gaming, and binge-watching can wait, set limits so they don’t wreck your focus.

Find a balance between breaks and putting off work, as tempting as it is, turning off your phone for an hour to do schoolwork will help you tremendously.

Most Importantly, Take Care of Yourself

School is important, but not as important as your well-being. Make sure to step back once and a while and listen to what your body is telling you.

Make sure you have your three meals and eat well! Food is important for the energy and efficiency of the body. Always get good sleep. Sleep is one of the most important things we need to be our best selves, so don't take it for granted! Going to bed at a decent time is a way to feel your best self. Staying active and doing the things you love is another important part of taking care of ourselves. Having hobbies and socializing with people we enjoy hanging around can distract us from stress and the pressures of whatever situations we are facing.

The second semester of high school can be draining and difficult, so it’s important to implement some of these ideas into your life to make these last couple of months go by more quickly and easily. Staying organized and on top of your work will lead to less last-minute stress, and finding a balance and taking breaks can feel like a breath of fresh air in the midst of chaos. Just remember that you can always talk to someone when things get hard, and you ’ re never alone. Don’t be too hard on yourself and enjoy high school while you can!

pop culture

EPIC: The Internet’s Newest Musical Obsession

By Maggie McAteer

This article contains spoilers for The Odyssey (which is almost 3000 years old) As well as its adaptation EPIC: The Musical (which is a little over five years old)

In 2019, Puerto Rican-born Jorge “Jay” Rivera-Herrans was a medical student at the University of Notre Dame. Now, over five years later, he has just released the final part of EPIC: The Musical, a concept album based on Homer’s The Odyssey. Rivera-Herrans’ journey in producing EPIC has been an odyssey in and of itself, from its initial conception, to slowly gaining an audience on TikTok, to the final part becoming the number one album on iTunes almost immediately after its release. 2019, beginning it as his senior project at Notre Dame. However, it didn’t start gaining traction until he started posting about it in 2021 on TikTok, sharing snippets of the songs he was working on. Eventually, he reached out for auditions which were done through TikTok as well. Slowly, Jorge started to build a community of dedicated fans. The concept album was published in segments or “ sagas, ” essentially EPs that told one chapter of the story. The first such saga called the Troy Saga, started at the events of the Trojan Horse and was released in December of 2022. Over the next two years, the nine other Rivera-Herrans’ first musical project was “My Heart Says Go,” based on his real experiences as a med student longing to do music. He moved on to EPIC in

sagas were released, with the final – the Ithaca Saga, ending with Odysseus finally coming home to his family – coming out just recently in December 2024. They would have likely been released sooner had Blair Russell Productions not filed a lawsuit against Rivera-Herrans for ownership of the full copyright for the first two sagas, causing the project to get stuck in developmental hell for around a year. Eventually, he created his own independent production company, Winion Entertainment, and re-released the first two sagas (which he had not been receiving royalties for).

Jorge has listed video games and anime as some of the top influences for EPIC, especially Kingdom Hearts composer Yoko Shimomura. In one video, he shared that “EPIC would not exist if Yoko Shimomura did not exist,” and that hearing the

music at a young age completely changed his life.

Rivera-Herrans also incorporates video games in storytelling throughout the musical, with “boss battles” between major characters at the end of each saga. One song even has different “levels,” with a character having to make their way through each one before facing the final boss.

Another influence is Russian composer Sergi Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, wherein each character is given a specific instrument to

represent them: Peter by a string quartet, the wolf by three horns, etc. In EPIC, each character is similarly portrayed by a different instrument: Athena by a piano, Odysseus by a guitar, Penelope by a viola, etc. This can clue listeners into when a character is about to appear if their instrument or leitmotif plays in the background.

It also shows deeper characterization; for example, Telemachus (Odysseus’ son) is represented by a combination of a guitar and piano, showing the influences of both his father and

Athena as his mentor. By sharing his creative process online and breaking down many of these little details, Rivera-Herrans brings the audience further into the story.

While many aspects and plotlines from the original Odyssey are similar, it’s important to note that EPIC is a very loose adaptation. Some details were misinterpreted by Jorge, like the wind god Aeolus’ “floating island,” which he thought meant a literal island in the sky, but after writing several songs centered around that fact discovered it simply meant an island untethered to the ocean floor. There are some creations unique to EPIC, most prominently the Winions: small, troublemaking creatures who are the children of Aeolus who also serve as the Lotus-Eaters.

Usually, the changes occur to better fit EPIC’s central themes and Odysseus’ character arc. For example, in EPIC, Polites, Odysseus’ friend, is killed at the hands of Polyphemus the Cyclops, and this becomes a major event in Odysseus’ life. However in the Odyssey, he is only mentioned twice, and his death occurs much later on, and is not significant in the overall story. Similarly, Odysseus and Poseidon never come face to face in The Odyssey, but in EPIC the god confronts Odysseus and establishes his ideology of ruthlessness (the main theme of the musical).

As for the future of EPIC: The Musical, there are many options. Rivera-Herrans has shared that in the case of a stage adaptation, it would likely be similar to Cirque du Soleil’s KÀ and O shows, which utilize technology to redefine the possibilities of theater productions.

For a live-action film, he feels practical effects should be used as much as possible, with VFX being incorporated only in the magical aspects of the show (similar to how electronic instruments represent magic in the music). However, the most likely medium for an adaptation would be an animated film. Already, artistic fans have created animatics (rough animations, basically animated storyboards), drawing visualizations for every song. Some of them have even been hired by Rivera-Herrans himself to create official animations for the musical. This format also makes sense given that the inspiration of EPIC is anime and video games, both of which are animated. If it is to be an animated movie, RiveraHerrans feels that an anime style, like early Attack on

Titan episodes, would fit well, or something akin to Netflix’s masterful TV series Arcane. You can find Jorge RiveraHerrans on Youtube (@JayHerrans), Instagram (@jayherrans), and TikTok (@jorgeherrans).

If you are someone who enjoys musicals (especially modern ones), Greek mythology, or just good music, EPIC: The Musical is worth a listen. The albums are available on Spotify and Apple Music (or wherever you get your music), or you can watch some of the numerous fan-created animatics posted on YouTube.

What to Watch for this Year’s Oscars

By Lily Peavey

January 23rd has come and gone, and - despite its constant rescheduling - Oscar nominations are finally here. This year ’ s awards will certainly be one to remember, when all things are considered. The global impact of films like Wicked, Dune: Part Two, and Inside Out 2 cannot go unnoticed, but neither can the controversy surrounding the film that garnered the most nominations: Emilia Pérez. Yet, not all nominated films are ever really worth seeing, so allow me to provide a guide for all the films that I think are worth watching in preparation for this year ’ s Academy Awards.

Because it really wouldn’t be an Oscars season without its fair share of snubs of exceptional performances, songs, and examples of directing prowess

that go without recognition, there are more than the Oscar-nominated films that are worthy of note. This handful of honorable mentions are those that I believe arguably deserved the nomination far more than other films.

Kneecap, directed by Rich Peppiatt (Curzon Film)

Though it was the darling of the BAFTAs, scoring six nominations across all categories, the Oscars did not see fit to recognize the Irish film Kneecap. Despite being

shortlisted for both International Feature Film and Original Song for the song “Sick

In The Head”, the film just wasn’t able to grasp a nomination, though that doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth watching. performances that create a truly spectacular film. Kneecap follows the true story of the title Irish rap trio and their innovative music that incorporates the Irish language. It contrasts their personal lives and their stage personas, the values that they have been taught throughout their lives, and the truth of a cultural phenomenon that can only be displayed through the powerful medium that is music. Kneecap stars Michael Fassbender, but he is about the only famous actor in the cast. As for the titular trio, they are portrayed by the band themselves, who-- despite not being actors-- showcase a variety of ranging and layered

Kneecap serves to bring the struggles of Irish culture to the forefront of modern-day film, sharply contrasting from the traditional formula that movies follow when referencing Ireland. More than that, it seamlessly incorporates the band’s music into the overall flow of the film. Though it is not necessarily a musical, it is, at its core, a film about music. Though it may not have been favored at the Academy Awards, the film deserves the credit it is owed. So, rather than watch one of the nominated films that may be undeserving of its accolades, turn to something that, while different from the Oscars’ normal flavor of film, is truly worthy of your attention.

Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Art’s former best friend, Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor). The chemistry between the cast is undeniable, and it props tennis up as a comparison between the clashing and morally gray elements of each of the characters and their warring relationships, creating not only a visually but emotionally interesting film. After the trailer dropped, it seemed like everyone knew about Challengers, or at least had heard of Zendaya’s tennis movie. Yet, this film that was on everyone ’ s radar at the beginning of the year went without recognition at the 97th Academy Awards, despite being shortlisted for both Original Score and Original Song for “Compress/Repress.”

For those unfamiliar with the plot, Challengers follows three former tennis stars: trainer Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), Tashi’s husband Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), and

Its score, written by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, emphasizes a different style of music, reverting to a more electric and modernist feel rather than the orchestral opulence of a traditional Original Score winner. Its innovative sound works to further emphasize the film and its different take on what would be a traditional story of sports and a love triangle. Perhaps the boldness of Challengers was simply too modern or direct for the

Oscars, or perhaps it should have been recognized for its daring and authentic nature. Challengers is more than just Zendaya’s tennis movie, and it is more than simply another snubbed film-- it is an emotionally charged and genuine feature that was worthy of nomination, but simply went unnoticed.

The Count of Monte Cristo, directed by Alexander de La Patellère and Matthieu Delaporte (Samuel Goldwyn Films)

This 2024 adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel went unnoticed by the Academy for another, far more

controversial reason: Emilia Pérez. Yes, the infamous movie has blocked another, perhaps more deserving, film from nomination. As the Academy will only accept one international nomination per country, The Count of Monte Cristo went widely unnoticed due to the prevalence of the other French submission, though it proved to be a hit in its native country.

The classic story has been told a number of times, but this adaptation truly brings the story to life. It follows Edmond Dantès, a man who is wrongfully imprisoned just before he is set to be married and later comes into a great fortune and later reinvents himself. He returns as the Count of Monte Cristo, a swelling persona that he uses to seek revenge on those who ruined his life, adopting disguises to do so.

Dantès is played by the exceptional Pierre Niney, whose performance earned him a nomination for a César, France’s equivalent to the Oscars. The entire film has earned fourteen total nominations, beating out the other prevalent French nominee, Emilia Pérez. It scored in categories that celebrate the exceptional acting and rich beauty of the film.

Though the entire three hour film is spoken in French, this fact quickly becomes irrelevant due to its monumental beauty. Its beautiful cinematography and set design bring the story to life alongside the vivid score by Jérôme Rebotier, a composer who gives other nominees like Daniel Blumberg (The Brutalist) and John Powell (Wicked) a run for their money.

More than its performances, The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventurous French epic and a classic revenge story that brings

together the intelligence of the story with the inherent heart that outshines many of the nominees.

Now, for the nominees themselves. All of the following films have been nominated in at least one category, with the majority being up for the most prestigious award of the night: Best Picture.

The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet (A24)

The film with the infamous three-plus hour runtime that was so lengthy that it warranted an intermission has scored a slew of Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best

Supporting Actress, Best

Director, and more. The film follows artist and Holocaust survivor László Tóth (Adrien Brody) throughout his new life in America as he seeks to remedy his marriage and further his career. He encounters a wealthy industrialist (Guy Pearce), who offers to help him in the latter of those aspects, and he struggles over the course of the two acts to find his footing in life, in love, and-- above everything else-- in art. performances. The captivating nature of their roles can not simply be put into words and they align masterfully with Brody’s spectacular work.

Though intimidating at first, The Brutalist offers an array of both layered and standout performances that make time fly when one watches it. Adrien Brody practically makes the film, and his stellar performance is only furthered by the exceptional acting of both Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce, both of whom were rightfully nominated for their

Although it just about swept the Golden Globes in the Drama categories, it cannot be certain that it is a clear Best Picture frontrunner, as a film like Emilia Pérez (which dominated the Globes’ Comedy/Musical category) could easily sweep the award out from under its feet.

However, due to the many broadcasted award shows being postponed due to the Los Angeles fires, there has not been anything to confirm whether or not The Brutalist could go home with the gold, even if it certainly deserves to.

Despite the uncertainty of whether or not it will succeed, the film is a rewarding watch, earning its long runtime and proving itself as worthy of a

devoted audience. It is unique in its recognition and its place as a film about human flaws, the persistence of passion, and the defiant longevity of art. to elect a new Pope but is continually burdened with the shrouded secrets in the rest of the conclave. He is accompanied by Isabella Rossellini’s Sister Agnes and Stanley Tucci’s Cardinal Bellini in these endeavors, all of whom serve to create an intriguing mystery that is sure to keep an audience entertained.

Conclave, directed by Edward Berger (Focus Features)

Based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel of the same name, Conclave has scored its fair share of nominations and wins already this awards season. It scored the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay and has snagged Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and more.

Conclave follows Ralph Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence as he seeks

Though perhaps not providing the riveting, human stories offered by films like A Real Pain and The Brutalist, Conclave is, simply put, an entertaining watch. More than that, it takes an overused concept and reimagines it, providing an interesting look at the Church and its own politics, thus making a visually interesting film. Its score is tense and dramatic, and its cinematography keeps the audience engaged throughout its silent stretches.

Conclave may not be a serious consideration when considered alongside other nominees, but it is still deserving of its nominations. The film is beautifully shot and the elaborate politics create a film that is worth at least one watch. growing franchise, but the current duology of Dune offers so much more than just a pair of loud movies. Despite this, it was certainly a surprise to see that it had netted a nomination for Best Picture, though less so to see its array of technical awards such as Best Sound.

Dune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Amidst all of the new stories offered this year, what better way to celebrate than watching a sequel? Sure, Denis Villeneuve’s epic based off of the Frank Herbert sci-fi classic could be considered a blockbuster and is indeed part of a highly profitable and ever-

Starring Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atriedes, the second movie sees the main character and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), alongside the native Fremen people of the desert world Arrakis as they plot revenge against the scheming Harkonnens, the villains of the first film, who killed Paul’s father and took Arrakis for themselves. Dune: Part Two also furthers the character of Zendaya’s Chani, Paul’s love interest, and introduces a slew of new characters, including FeydRautha (Austin Butler) and

Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh). the place of a prophecy. If the political intrigue and the marvels of the great sand worms aren’t enough to entice you, I ask you to watch for the sheer beauty of it all. The sandscapes of Arrakis are contrasted with the black-andwhite world of Giedi Prime, the grandeur of the Fremen army, and the explosions of the battle sequences are all stunning and appear to have leapt off the pages of Herbert’s writings. Still, after all of this, Denis Villeneuve was not granted a nomination for Best Director.

Dune: Part Two has a great chance to sweep the technical awards and puts forth a stellar cast and crew that are worthy of recognition. While Chalamet has also been nominated for the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, this space saga offers an exciting and rich galaxy that contrasts love and power, religion and manipulation, and

A Real Pain, directed by Jesse Eisenberg (Searchlight Pictures)

A Real Pain is certainly a painful movie. By that, I mean that it is incredibly, unshakably human. Though it only managed to grasp two acknowledgements by the Oscars, it is worth every second of its runtime. Jesse Eisenberg-- the writer and star-- scored a nomination for Best Original Screenplay and Kieran Culkin (quite controversially) is a nominee for Best Supporting Actor. Unlike the last few I’ve mentioned, A Real Pain missed out on a Best Picture

nomination, but it is still worthy of your time. the perspective of Eisenberg’s character-- who views Culkin’s character as his main priority. The film follows David Kaplan (Eisenberg) and Benji Kaplan (Culkin) as the cousins tour Poland in order to honor their recently deceased grandmother, exploring a rich cultural history and a deep familial tie to the land. They are accompanied by a diverse and intriguing supporting cast that makes up their tour group, but the film revolves primarily around the duo. It explores their changing behaviors, their bitter and melancholic past, and the strength of family. Culkin, who most notably played Roman Roy in the acclaimed Max series Succession, makes the film. Though this has led to controversy regarding whether or not he should have been put forth for Best Actor rather than Best Supporting Actor, the film is told almost entirely through

A Real Pain shows a great reverence to the culture it represents, integrating it throughout the story as a reminder of family and loved ones that have passed on. It explores emotional hardship and the cycle of grief, creating a melancholic atmosphere that is interlaced with quips and outbursts that further the characters and their complexity. It is painful, but the pain is undeniably genuine and beautiful.

Flow, directed by Gints Zilbalodis (Baltic Content Media) recognition in its categories and is well worth the attention because-- put simply-- Flow is exceptional.

I don’t think anyone expected the Latvian cat movie to be the most promising animated feature going into the Academy Awards. After all, this has been a sector long ruled by Disney and Dreamworks, both of whom put forth massive films like Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot, respectively. Yet, this film, made entirely on the free program Blender and nominated for both Best Animated Feature Film and Best International Feature, has risen to the forefront of

Flow has no dialogue, but that is to be expected, given that it follows an adorable black cat and its crew of friends. The movie is a family film, and its message is quite simplistic and easy to understand, even without words. It is a story told entirely through sound, whether it be crashing waves, the caws of birds, or the swelling score. It can be seen as a story of friendship and collaboration-both themes seen commonly in animated features-- but also gives a wonderful found family story despite the chaos and a want to survive. Its menagerie of characters include a stubborn capybara, a proud secretary bird, and a lemur that is fascinated with collecting every possible

Flow’s protagonist is downright adorable and an obvious reason to watch, but so is the mysterious fantasy world presented by the filmmakers.

thing. But Flow also warns about the dangers of trusting the wrong people and celebrates the values of a good and worthwhile friendship. none may be more blatantly political than Ali Abbasi’s two hour look into the rise of Donald Trump. The Apprentice stars Sebastian Stan as Trump himself, scoring Stan a nomination for Actor in a Leading Role, and Jeremy Strong as Trump’s mentor, Roy Cohn. Strong is also the second Succession alum to be nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role, alongside Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain).

The rich mythical beasts and the wondrous landscape with its masterful architecture litter this film that first appears simplistic, but later flourishes into a decadent and vivid universe.

The Apprentice, directed by Ali Abbasi (Briarcliff Entertainment)

This year ’ s Oscars have been notably political, with the nominees serving to capture various perspectives, though

The film follows the young Trump as he grows his business empire with the watchful guidance of lawyer Roy Cohn to the point where he feels confident abandoning Cohn and developing the persona that we all know of the current President of the United States. Both Strong and Stan are truly exceptional in their roles. There is nary an impression in

any of Stan’s performance, and his evolution from the beginning to the end of the film creates a carefully morphed depiction in every aspect that has earned him his nomination. By the end, Trump’s manner of speaking and his notable mannerisms are captured to perfection. Strong’s acting is a masterclass in performance and the toll that the passage of time has on a person as they slowly slip into irrelevancy. foreshadowing. Though it seems heavy handed, it is only so because of the time in which we witness this colossus of a film. The uneasiness seeps through the screen as Trump learns the art of victory and embodies the things that have most prominently carried on into his political career over the two hour runtime of the film. The Apprentice serves to leave the viewer with a chilling sense of terror and the echo of the modern-day ringing in their ears. Its poignant dialogue never serves to undermine the immense nuance of the roles, especially in Stan’s depiction of Trump. Its subtle but swelling score furthers the drama and the manner in which it is shot feels authentic to the era that it is portraying, immersing the viewer in the secretive, shady, and spite-ridden world of the ultra-powerful. But what is most haunting about The Apprentice is the

It’s common knowledge at this point that the Oscars tend to ignore films that many argue are worthy of the awards more than the winner. In previous years, there have been various notable snubs and various unworthy victors, and that will always be an unfortunate constant of every Oscars season because every

film simply cannot win. The nature of the awards show is to put various films head-to-head, and the outcome is entirely subjective and based on the perspective of the less than 10,000 voting members of the Academy. As such, films that don’t necessarily “play nice” with the conservative perspective of the Academy are less likely to receive their deserved accolades. cinematography, or just plain storytelling, and many serve to be a glamorous mixture of all four. In a world such as ours, in a time such as this, cinema is a beautiful reminder of our past, our imaginations, and our future, giving us a devastating reminder of every part of what it is to be human.

Even so, the Oscars do not define film. It simply highlights some that may be worth watching and others that many are quick to express their outrage with. Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to decide what really is the best film and I implore you to look upon these films as those that should define cinema for the previous year, not the ones that did. They are all masterclasses in their art form, whether it be music, animation,

Movies to Fall For This February

By Claire Welby

Since February is now upon us, many might be interested in romance-related activities, whether it be with their significant other or a group of friends. While there are plenty of fun ways to spend the holiday, one popular interest during this season is watching movies people might associate with Valentine’s Day - so typically romantic films. However, if you can’t seem to make a decision for this occasion, we ’ ve got you covered! This list contains some of the most popular movies to watch this season, whether you ’ re looking for something new or want to rewatch a classic.

10 Things I Hate About You (PG-13, 1999)

Available on Peacock and Disney+ This highly regarded 1999 rom-com starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger is a frequent rewatch (or even first time watch) for many people during February! In the film, Kat Straford (Stiles) is considered an intelligent yet abrasive student who isn’t interested in anything

relationship-related, which is an issue for her younger sister Bianca (Larisa Olyenik), since she is not allowed to date until her sister does. A plot begins to try and get Kat to date new student Patrick Verona (Ledger), but things soon get complicated.

We Live In Time (R, 2024)

Available to rent or buy

The recently released film focuses on Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield), two people brought together by a rather unique encounter. As the two begin to bond, they realize the importance of cherishing the

moments you have and learning to live in the moment. We Live In Time was released near the end of 2024 in theaters and had audiences raving on multiple social media platforms about how strongly they felt about the film, which is just another reason to give it a chance.

Heathers (R, 1988)

Available on Prime Video

If you ’ re interested in a darker movie that still has some interesting relationship elements, Heathers is a great film to choose. This crime/comedy stars Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer, a girl who got herself involved with

one of the most popular cliques at school, the Heathers. Despite this, Veronica strongly disapproves of the cruel behavior from this group of girls, and begins to scheme with social outcast J.D. (Christian Slater) to cause some trouble. However, when things start to take a dark and rather criminal turn, Veronica knows she has to do something to stop the problem before more people are affected.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved

Before (PG-13, 2018)

Available on Netflix

To All The Boys I’ve Loved

Before is a cute and silly teen

rom-com centered around high

school junior Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), a hopeless romantic who writes letters to people she likes without actually sending them as a way to get her feelings out. Despite this, her letters end up getting sent out and wreak havoc on her love life. Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, this film is usually quite a popular one to appear during Valentine’s Day.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (PG-13, 2005)

Available on Netflix

Are you interested in action and romance? If so, Mr. and Mrs. Smith might be a great choice for you during this month! Starring actors such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Adam

Brody, and more, the film focuses on a married couple (Pitt and Jolie) living a rather mundane existence. However, everything soon changes when they realize that they are both undercover assassins - and they’ve been assigned to kill each other.

Me Before You (PG-13, 2016)

Available on Prime Video

This tearjerker of a film follows Louisa ‘Lou’ Clark (Emilia Clarke), a woman constantly moving from job to job in order to make ends meet. When she begins to work as a caregiver for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy banker left paralyzed

from an accident two years earlier, her cheerful attitude is put to the test. As the two get to know each other, Will’s cynical demeanor begins to change as he learns from Lou that life is worth living.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (R, 2004) Available to Rent or Buy

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 film about two people, Clementine (Kate Winslet) and Joel (Jim Carrey), who go through an extremely painful breakup. After hearing that his exgirlfriend received a memory erasing procedure in order to

forget the ordeal, Joel decides to do the same thing, slowly forgetting the woman he once loved. This movie is an interesting yet sad one to choose during this season with a perfect blend of romance and science-fiction. rules. During a Valentine’s Party held by a group of friends, they soon realize that the story was not a myth at all. The movie is perfectly set during the February holiday and is widely regarded as an interesting and well-made slasher film, one of the more famous horror genres.

My Bloody Valentine (R, 1981)

Available to Rent or Buy

For my horror fans out there who want something for them during Valentine’s Day, My Bloody Valentine is a great film to watch. According to town legends, there is apparently a killer who comes out on Valentine’s Day to attack people who defy his

The Notebook (PG-13, 2004)

Available on HBO Max

To end this list, a special tribute is being paid to one of the most famous romance movies of all time, The Notebook. Starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling,

the movie takes place in 1940’s South Carolina, where Allie and Noah are extremely in love, despite their financial differences. The story is full of many ups and downs and may result in upset reactions (if you know, you know), but is a fan favorite globally and worth a watch. While there are plenty of amazing films to watch this month, this list compiles just a few of the more popular ones throughout multiple different genres. Watching movies is a common way to bond with others and no matter who you ’ re trying to get closer to, there’s plenty of films out there to suit everyone ’ s taste.

sports

Athlete of the Month: Emma Stutzman

By Celia Thome

The bleachers erupted as sophomore Emma Stutzman scored the winning goal for the Point Loma High School girls JV soccer team’s fourth game this season, finishing with a score of one to zero. As one of the most competitive sports at Point Loma High School, the girls soccer team is incredibly hard to make, both for JV and especially varsity. who they were previously tied with in league, the team has now leaped into first place, and have the chance to win their league for the 2024-2025 season.

The JV girls soccer team is currently undefeated this season, tying two of their games, and winning three. After winning their last game against Cathedral Catholic High School,

“We’ve either tied or won against the teams we have to play, and for the games that we ’ ve tied, I’m pretty sure we can win this time. We just have to lock in and show up for all the games so that we can stay in first,” Emma Stutzman says, keeping a positive and determined outlook for her future games. She’s hopeful for the rest of the season and has faith in her teammates that they can pull through and bring home a big win for Point Loma High. Emma has improved tremendously this year, her second season playing for JV.

She regularly practices with varsity to prepare for a potential spot on the squad next year. She is even hopeful for the possibility that she will be brought up to varsity to play in CIF towards the end of the season this year, if they are short on players. 1600M events.

She attributes her raw talent in the sport to her time spent playing club soccer for Albion SC, and has been training off season with them to expand her knowledge and skills, as well as running varsity girls cross country to work on her incredible speed and agility. She will continue on with running in the track and field season, specializing in the 800M and

“Most people play for a club outside of high school.” Emma explains, continuing on about the skill level of the team, “There’s good team dynamic, it’s a lot better than it was last year. We have a good coach and new freshmen that are good.”

Many of the older, more experienced players on the team utilize their leadership skills and lead and support the seven new freshman players. Sophomore Charlotte Klaus, the team's goalie, alongside the team captains, Katie French and Molly Curran, emit these characteristics, as they not only support the team on the field with their athleticism, but off the field as well with their outstanding sportsmanship. “Everyone on the team is very kind,” Emma says.

The team was very excited to have the four year veteran

varsity assistant coach, Natasha Camcho-Bier, aka Coach Tash, switch to the JV head coach. Emma explains that many of the team's successes are because of the support and encouragement from Coach Tash. As such a competitive sport in the state of California, and in Division I, it is not only important for the team to stay dedicated, but to also stay positive as they face some of the highest level high school soccer teams in the county. Emma Stutzman is an exemplary model of the kind of right-minded athlete one needs to be in order to stay level headed in each game. She, and the rest of the Point Loma girls soccer team, are exhilarated to watch the rest of their season unfold as they hope to grow closer as a team, stronger as individuals, and ultimately carry the team to victory as League Champions

Wrestling

By Celia Thome

The losing streak that haunted Point Loma High School’s wrestling team in the 2023-2024 season has been shattered this winter, as the both JV and varsity teams continue to grow both mentally and physically as individual wrestlers, and as a team. Wrestling in both highschool and college is considered one of the hardest sports, for not only is it incredibly physically demanding, with an athlete needing to use muscles throughout their whole body as well as their endurance, but it is also incredibly mental. Most wrestlers are faced with exceedingly difficult matches that can only be won by having the right mental mindset.

wrestling team both in practice and at tournaments. The only way to win is to keep attention to detail and to believe you can beat your opponent. The varsity wrestlers on Point Loma’s team have this exact mindset, watching and rewatching their matches whether they won or lost, to pinpoint where they messed up and fine tune their mistakes until they rise to the top. The term “chainwrestling” is often used in the wrestling room during practice, as the coaches explain to the team that taking one shot or getting one escape isn’t going to win you the match, it’s when you don’t stop moving, and your technique flows move to move, that you take down your competition. “You have to want it more, ” Coach Tony, Coach Perry, and Coach Chad repeatedly tell the

The losing streak that haunted Point Loma High School’s wrestling team in the 2023-2024 season has been shattered this winter, as the both JV and varsity teams continue to grow both mentally and physically as individual wrestlers, and as a team. Wrestling in both highschool and college is considered one of the hardest sports, for not only is it incredibly physically demanding, with an athlete needing to use muscles throughout their whole body as well as their endurance, but it is also incredibly mental. Most wrestlers are faced with exceedingly difficult matches that can only be won by having the right mental mindset.

“You have to want it more, ” Coach Tony, Coach Perry, and Coach Chad repeatedly tell the wrestling team both in practice and at tournaments. The only way to win is to keep attention to detail and to believe you can beat your opponent. The varsity wrestlers on Point Loma’s team have this exact mindset, watching and rewatching their matches whether they won or lost, to pinpoint where they messed up and fine tune their mistakes until they rise to the top. The term “chainwrestling” is often used in the wrestling room during practice, as the coaches explain to the team that taking one shot or getting one escape isn’t going to win you the match, it’s when you don’t stop moving, and your

technique flows move to move, that you take down your competition.

After winning Point Loma High’s three home dual meets against San Diego HS, Madison HS, and La Jolla HS, as well as placing in every tournament this season, the team is set to take its boys and girls varsity lineup to the postseason. The girls team excelled at the CIF tournament, with sophomore Dempsey Baker placing 2nd at 105, sophomore Zisa Willink placing 3rd at 130, freshman Sequoia Frohnhoefer placing 4th at 190. The three teammates all qualified for the Masters tournament, with

sophomore Celia Thome finishing as a Masters alternate at 135.

Junior Connor Perry, the top boys wrestler, is expected to place at the 2025 Masters Wrestling Championship in mid-February and at the 2025 CIF State Wrestling Championships, which would be the first for any wrestler at Point Loma in years. Not far behind him, sophomore Chris Ryan is on track to place at CIF and move on to Masters and the CIF State Championships as well. The wrestling team's sudden success this year can be attributed to many aspects of the team, from the incredible coaches, some of whom are former Division I athletes, to the support and drive of the team as one body.

“As a team, we all work hard, and we ’ re all connected to each other very closely,”

Daniel Arrues, a varsity boys wrestler says. “We’re like a big, big family, and I feel like that really contributes to how we win our dual meets, and how we place in tournaments, and basically how we wrestle overall.” parents this year, as well as the school, with both students and teachers showing up at home meets to show their support, has reversed the odds. The team is attending practice every day, staying late to run extra laps in order to make their weight, and putting it all out there for the early morning tournaments every weekend. Point Loma High School is ecstatic to see how far the wrestling team can go this season and in the future in a sport often forgotten about and underappreciated, despite the pure challenge and provocation it provides even the strongest of athletes. The team emits a feeling of unity, seen at each dual meet as wrestlers charge onto the mat to congratulate team members on a win, or screaming for each other during matches, only seconds away from a pin. However, the team community is not only noticeable during the team’s successes, but also after each loss, as the wrestlers comfort each other and immediately begin to discuss how they can improve. During last year ’ s 2023-2024 wrestling season, Point Loma was unable to win a single dual meet and did not place in many tournaments. The dedication of the wrestlers, coaches, and “Can’t stop, won’t stop,” the team chants at each meet, circling around the mat as they do after every practice, “Can’t stop, won’t stop.”

Point Loma High’s Annual Unity Game

By Lily Peavey and Danya Do

Photos by Noah Indyk

The 7th Annual Unity Game at Point Loma High School took place on Thursday, January 30th. The event, organized by Ms. Messig and Coach Diaz, serves to join the community together in a celebration of our varsity athletes and special education students through basketball. This year welcomed a new development; although the organization was initiated by our educators, the function itself was primarily student-led. Alongside the varsity basketball players and Circle of Friends, the night incorporated our

school’s Vanguard, NJROTC, and members of the Athletic Leadership Council. The teams practiced together for several weeks prior to the game, allowing for meaningful bonds to be made between players.

“It was nice getting to see the kids again and playing with them,” says Point Loma player Hannah Smith. “I play with Jaden, and I also play with Dakota and they’re really, really sweet… they’re probably the nicest people I know.”

The event means just as much to the people in charge of facilitating. “The atmosphere and environment it creates is something that is almost indescribable unless you feel that energy in person. To have a crowd of fans go crazy during your intro, the national anthem, the crowd erupting when you make a shot!” describes Coach Diaz. “Our unity players have been able to experience this and that is something they will never forget…we have seniors that played in the last three games and they couldn’t wait to play again.”

Ms. Messig, in addition to working with Coach Diaz in

coordinating the event, is one of the special education teachers at Point Loma. “This is the third year in a row that I’ve been able to be involved and I feel like it’s just getting bigger and better every year… I’m super grateful to have so much support from the community.” She adds, “We’re so grateful to the athletes for helping us put this together and I think my favorite part about it is that these kids are making friends and memories that are going to last a lifetime.”

More than anything else, the Unity Game is a valued experience for the players. “I have seen one of the playersJason Green - just grow over the last three years, and as he says it all started with the Unity Game,” says Coach Diaz.

Jason agrees, saying, “For me, it was really fun, actually. The first time I had a Unity Game was as a sophomore… I’d say for my sophomore year, we won. ”

For this year and his junior year, Jason says, it was a tie game. In his first year participating in the Unity Game, Jason commented

on not having many friends, but thanks to Unity Game, he’s formed some incredibly meaningful bonds with some of the players.

“My friend Gabby, she’s a really nice friend,” Jason says of player Gabby Leyva. He also mentioned players Trevor Dorris and Na’Sean Hardy. The memories of every game and the friendships formed are worth the world, both to our community and to the athletes in the game itself.

“They get really, really excited when their friends score, when they score, so that’s really fun to see, ” adds Hannah. The assistant to the boys’ varsity basketball coach, John Paul Rios, was also able to strengthen his friendships with the varsity teams when he participated as a Unity player.

“I’m pretty excited,” says John Paul. He also went on to remember good times with his friend Trevor Dorris and recall that, along with his walk-up song, his friends also gave a speech as he is a senior this year. “Go Pointers!” he adds. The Unity Game is a powerful testament to Point Loma’s commitment to inclusion in all forms. It is one of the best things that PLHS commits itself to, welcoming all players and new students to the Big Gym for a night of music, basketball, and high spirits. It is in this vein of celebratory recreation that we

have continued this event for seven years, and will continue to do so. As Coach Diaz reminds us, “The Unity Game exemplifies the power of sports to unite individuals and break down barriers. It serves as a reminder that when we come together, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and included.”

Winter Sports Update: Girls Water Polo

By Lily Peavey

It always takes a little longer than expected for girls water polo season to start, much to the dismay of the players. Ask any of the returning players and they’ll say that is one of the best parts of their school year, and it’s easy to see why. The tightknit team is composed of some of the kindest people on campus, all of whom are eager to see both JV and varsity succeed.

Under the watchful eyes of coaches Andrew Wright and Brandon Huff, the varsity girls went 7-1 in League and finished in first place. They have already won their first CIF game, downing West Hills 14-13 on Monday, February 9th, and square off against Del Norte on Thursday, February 13th. This impressive effort also led them to travel up to Los Angeles for

the Varsity Warriors Winter Classic, where they managed to earn fifth place in a bracket of fifteen teams.

In addition, the JV team has also had a positive experience this season, even though they had so few games, as many schools do not have a JV team. Despite this, there are nothing but warm feelings and a want to return among the JV girls.

Freshman Whitney Kuzmich, who intends to return next season, spoke about her water polo season, saying, “It’s been a really great experience. All the girls, both on JV and varsity, have been super sweet and welcoming.”

Another freshman, Eva Florez, feels the same welcoming spirit from not just the other girls on the team but also Coaches Brandon and Andrew.

“I feel like the coaches really, really teach you, ” Eva says. “They made me build up my confidence more when I first started playing.”

“This is by far the highlight of my year, every year, ” says one of the juniors. “I’m just glad that I get to keep coming back and improve, and that more people are coming to love the sport and the team as I have.” Her sentiments are echoed by junior Kennedy Tolentino, who says, “The team is fantastic… We all work together really well, always helping uplift each other.”

Though this will be the last season for seniors Edie Pickering, Marina Jacoway, Petra Christoff, Madison Kinley,

Ashley Rojas, and Julia Kaminski-Pereira they’re leaving behind an impressive legacy. The team has flourished with them on it, and they’ve ensured that the up-andcoming underclassmen and next year ’ s seniors are as passionate and devoted to the sport as they are, and that Point Loma’s success continues.

The seniors have nothing but fond memories on the team, too. One of the graduating seniors, Madison Kinley, can attest to this. “I’ve really enjoyed playing. I was completely new my freshman year - very scared,” she adds.

“My teammates and the coaches were so nice and accepting that it just, it helped me stay in the sport and I really grew to love it.”

The closeness of the team can be so clearly described by senior Marina Jacoway. She

says, “We’ve become a family… and in the pool, we really support and protect each other and encourage each other to be more than they think is possible.” The sport is one where one must prove themselves, but Marina says that it is also “where you get lifted up by both your coaches and teammates and the parents, and it has been the best time of my life.” vibes. Everybody’s here to pick everybody up every single day. Whether it’s freezing, whether it’s raining, whether there’s smoke in the air because of the fires, we ’ re always there to support one another and always looking forward to the next event we ’ ve got going on. ”

In the end, it can be Head Coach Brandon that says it best. “This season has been so much fun,” he says. “Nothing but good

L.A. Fires

By Chance McGinley-Kase

California has been in recordlevel drought for decades now. This dry, dehydrated landscape, combined with Santa Ana winds, has left California with a target on its back for wildfires. Year after year, California is scorched with wildfires, causing mass destruction and leaving millions of dollars in damages. This year, Los Angeles, the most populated city within California, was devastated by these wildfires. been started because of an oversurged powerline. The fire, which started on the 7th of January, has been considered to be 99% contained as of Monday, Jan 27th. The fire has scorched over 14,000 acres throughout the Los Angeles area. Destruction has been tallied to over 9,400 destroyed structures, and a further thousand structures which have been damaged considerably. 17 known lives have been lost to this horrible fire.

EATON FIRE

The cause of the Eaton fire is still under investigation.

However, it is believed to have

HUGHES FIRE

The Hughes fire was significantly smaller than the Eaton fire. Starting on the 22nd of January near Lake Hughes Road, the Hughes fire burned 10,400 acres of land throughout its burning. Almost 7,000 structures were

destroyed and a further thousand damaged. have been confirmed due to the fires. This fire has been arguably the most devastating and damaging ever in the L.A. area.

MEXICO SENDS AID

Even with all the devastation, there is still compassion. On Friday, January 10th, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the President of Mexico, dispatched firefighters as well as military personnel in order to help combat the blazes. Sheinbuam Pardo stated that Mexico has always been generous to support their neighbors. Sheinbuam also states that she wishes to support all of the ethnic Mexicans, which are very prominent throughout the L.A. area.

TOTAL DEVASTATION

In total, the blaze throughout L.A. has burned over 40,000 acres of land throughout the greater county. It is projected to have cost over $275 billion dollars in damages. Over 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed, and 24 deaths

Valentine’s Day History and Legends

By Hannah Smith

The common story told of how the holiday of Valentine's Day came to be comes from the story of St. Valentine. When marriage was outlawed by Emperor Claudius II, he gave secret marriages to young lovers in Rome. When St. Valentine was discovered, he was put to death. However, a less macabre and popular version of the story is that St. Valentine was put in prison for helping the persecuted Christians escape. While there he fell in love with the jailer's daughter and sent her the first valentine before he died, signing, “From your Valentine.” But did you know there is a festival that actually predates these stories?

Lupercalia was a pagan fertility festival that was dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and

Remus, the founders of Rome. For the festival, Luperci (Roman priests), would gather in the cave where Romulus and Remus had been cared for by Lupa (the she-wolf). The priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility and a dog for purification. They would then dip the goat’s hide in the blood and go to the streets. While there they would gently slap women and crop fields with the hide, believing that they would become more fertile in the coming year.

This was not the origin of today’s holiday. Valentine’s Day wasn’t celebrated as a romantic holiday until the 1400’s. The Victorians, in the 1800’s, were the ones to put the modern romantic twist on this holiday. They began making handmade cards decked out in lace and poems professing their undying love. In the 1900’s, it became more common for the cards to be printed due to improvements in the printing industry. Esther A. Howland, aka “The mother of the American Valentine,” was the first to sell mass produced valentine cards. In the 1840’s, she sold them out of Worcester, Massachusetts. a cockroach after your ex for a fee - and they’ll even notify your ex!

Valentine’s Day has continued to evolve and change over the years. However, if you want to start a new tradition this holiday (with a less romantic vibe) the Bronx Zoo, San Antonio Zoo, and Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo all offer to name

Valentine’s Traditions Around the World

By Hannah Smith

For some, Valentine’s Day is one of the most romantic holidays during the year. It is a time to show appreciation and love of significant others. In the U.S., we often celebrate by gifting chocolates, roses, balloons, or a surprise romantic dinner. However, around the world each country has its own unique twist on the holiday.

Sobrapäev (aka Friend’s Day) is celebrated in Estonia on February 14th as well. They not only recognize romantic relationships of love, but also friendship. Friends exchange letters and small gifts.

In Peru, Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a public holiday on February 14th. However, people exchange orchids (they come in 3,000 varieties) instead of roses, since it’s a native flower.

A few days before February 14th, Le village des amoureux (The Village of Lovers) in France holds a festival. It features the Tree of Eternal Hearts for proposals or vow renewals. Couples can also hang an engraved heart with their names at the Tree. At the Jardin des Amoureux (Lover’s Garden), couples can plant a tree as a symbol of their growing and thriving relationship.

In Ghana, February 14th is a holiday known as “National Chocolate Day,” which was

created by the government as a way to increase tourism. Since its inception in 2007, Ghana is recognized as one of the highest producers of cacao in the world.

Similarly, in Japan they celebrate Valentine's Day with women gifting chocolates called honmei choco, or “true feelings chocolate,” to their love interests. However, the men cannot return gifts until March 14th, which is known as “white day.” There is giri choco, “obligation chocolates.” which are given to male colleagues and classmates, while tomo choco, or “friend chocolate,” is gifted to friends.

In the Miao region of China, Valentine's Day is known as the Sisters’ Meal Festival and is celebrated on March 15th. Women in the region wear silver jewelry and stunning outfits. They prepare colored rice bowls presented on silk to young men they might encounter. Furthermore, if the men find a pair of chopsticks in the rice, this symbolizes love. Conversely, if a clove of garlic is found, love is not meant to be.

The “Day Of San Dwynwen” is celebrated on January 25 in Wales. Lovers exchange uniquely hand carved spoons. This tradition originated in the 16th century when men would give hand carved spoons to women they admired. Popular symbols used to decorate the spoons include: hearts, two spoon heads, paisley shapes, chain links, and others. This

tradition is kept alive by craftsmen who want to preserve the art form. Often the spoons are also given at special occasions such as weddings or birthdays.

While there are many ways that people choose to celebrate Valentine’s day worldwide, some based on tradition, cultural expectations, or peer pressure, the “heart” of this holiday is the opportunity to recognize someone special in your own way. In Denmark, Gaekkebrev, or “joke letters,” are sent to someone's crush on February 14th. This tradition became popular in the 18th century and remains popular today. The sender signs their letter with a combination of dots to symbolize each letter in their name. If the recipient can guess the identity of the sender, they receive an Easter Egg from the writer of the letter. Another tradition includes the exchange of handmade cards that contain pressed white flowers, known as “snowdrops.”

After-All Parts VII - VIII

by Roy Bucher

This is a continuation of the serialized fiction work “After-All” - earlier sections can be found in the Halloween and Winter issues of The Pointer Press.

VII

“That’s it? That’s really it?!” cried Murdot as he walked down the sidewalk with his phone pressed tightly to his ear.

“I’m not sure what else to tell you. ” said Bon on the phone.

“The scan was the best that we could we do.”

“Seriously?! There’s no other data whatsoever?” he asked.

“None. I literally just checked for you!”

“God dammit all. Is there anyone else I can speak to Bon? I mean, you worked for Madrugo and a couple other kingpins, do you know any other informants?”

“First off: Rude. Second off: the ones I do know are only half as good as me. If you can’t get anything from me, you won’t get anything from anyone else.”

“So I should just meet with this Lumberjack guy?” asked Murdot.

“I mean… why not? They haven’t sent anyone to kill you, have they?” asked Bon.

“No, but they shouldn’t even be aware of my existence! I put everything on the line to make that happen!”

“Alright, I get it. Did they give any specifics? You said they wanted to rendezvous in Kensington, right? Did they say anything else?”

“No, nothing besides having eight days to go there.”

“How much time do you have now?”

“Six days.”

“Well, if they haven’t tried anything yet I doubt they want you dead. I think you should go. If this guy has your information I don’t think you should ignore him.”

Murdot pursed his lips tightly and tilted his head back in thought.

“Fine. If I come back from this I’ll tell you all about it.”

“Look forward to it.”

Murdot pressed the bottom button on the phone and the call ended.

VIII

Spruill’s eyes began to open as the morning light filtered through the windows. He woke up to the sight of a wooden ceiling and the distinctive sensation of lying on a couch. Spruill tried sitting up but was halted by a terrible pain in his right knee. As the pain subsided, he looked about and saw that he was in someone ’ s house.

“What the hell?” Spruill muttered to himself.

As his senses fully awoke, Spruill heard muffled speaking beyond the portal leading into the apparent dining room. Confused and wounded, he decided to take action.

“Hey!” he hollered.

“What the hell is going on?!”

Spruill heard a faint exclamation and the sound of rapid footsteps. Tom came into the room and looked relieved when he saw that Spruill was awake.

“Hey pal.” said Tom.

“Tom! What in the hell is happening?!” Spruill cried, as he tried to sit up again.

“Relax! We’re just staying at my friend’s place. We’re gonna wait for this Lumberjack thing to blow over. ”

Before Spruill could answer, he rolled off the couch and fell onto the carpeted floor, knocking his head on the coffee table in the process.

A half an hour passed and Tom and Spruill were sitting in the dining room while their host was pouring coffee. Spruill was hunched over in his seat and was leaning his aching head on an icepack.

“So who exactly is your friend over there Tom? And why the hell are we here?” he asked.

“Again, relax. That over there is Mag the Cat.”

“The Mag the Cat?”

“The one and only. He and I used to work for Madrugo. And don’t ask him anything. He doesn’t speak to anyone he doesn’t know.”

“Alright. But, I reiterate: Why are we here? You neglected to tell me anything when we were on the train.”

“We’re bailing out.” said Tom. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the white switch and held it up in front of his face.

“I bet you ’ ve already guessed it but this thing’s bad news Spruill. Did I ever tell you about my service?

“No.” said Spruill.

“I Was in Africa when General Creed was fighting the Chicoms. Our sargent brought in this medical guy to look at some of the

commies we’d captured. He worked alone in this tent and everyone was ordered to keep away. One night, my buddies and I made a bet and we went over to the tent to peek inside. The guy had this commie tied up in a chair and this big button in his hand. The moment he pressed it the commie started shaking and choking and then went dead.

“Just like Sung. So you think these guys are government?”

“Maybe, probably? To be perfectly honest Spruill, I can’t begin to think what those guys are and I don’t want to. But I’ve learned the hard way that people who’re hiding something don’t like to leave loose ends. And we ’ re loose ends Spruill.”

“But we did the job, we just didn’t take any payment. Why would Lumberjack want to come after us? We don’t know anything.”

“We know that Lumberjack exists and given what you said about him hiring thugs from all around, I bet someone noticed and is trying to find him. But whatever man, I don’t like the risks, so we ’ re staying with Mag. Mag’s kept the Feds off his tracks for years. If they can’t find him no one can and if no one can find Mag, no one can find us.

“Great.” said Spruill bringing his coffee to his lips.

“What’s the matter? You look upset.”

“Well, yeah! The situation is upsetting! We blew a guy ’ s head with a freaking garage door remote and either we ’ re on the lam or you ’ re so goddamn paranoid that you dragged us out of a $1,000,000 deal!”

“Both of you, shuddup” said Mag the Cat, pulling back his long, scraggly hair.

“You’re here now aren’t ya? So jes shuddup and drink your coffee.”

Tom and Spruill quieted down and promptly focused on their coffee. The Cat was not one they wanted to argue with.

Inspiration is dead.

Inspiration is Dead

By Lily Peavey

That’s what the artist heard like a mantra in her mind. The thoughts were no longer creative. There was no sign of the genius the artist had been praised so recently for. Her ingenuity, what her pieces spoke of as they hung on asylum-colored walls in the gallery. All kinds of characters had come to gorge themselves on intellect, their pretentiousness practically oozing off of their sparkling skin. The artist had become ill at the look of her clients. Now she became ill at the look of her canvases. She held the knife in one hand, unsure of what she wished to do with it. She should drop it, she knew, before she did herself any harm. Or before she made irreparable damage. But the artist wished for damage. Real damage, not simply words or splatters of paint scraped across a canvas with a forced meaning that she had not intended. The world fell into nothingness, the edges of her sight going blurry, her head pounding and her mind on fire. Fire. That did damage, the artist knew. That made an impact. One match and her studio and, by extension, her apartment would go up in flames. The canvases would be gone. Her work would become beyond valuable. Priceless.

But she couldn’t find fire. She only held a blade. The canvases taunted her, the black edges of sin crawling out from under them. Curled hands reached around them, beckoning her closer. Darker than soot, darker than night. The artist let out a yell of frustration or perhaps of relief. No one would ever be sure, not even the artist herself.

One single slash of the blade and the canvas came undone.

Delicate white threads, yarn woven together to fuel her livelihood came apart, a violent tear down the middle. A sense of mania filled her, an unyielding, unquenchable thirst for all of it to be destroyed around her. If inspiration was not dead, she would be the one to kill it.

Blank canvases came undone, paint splattered around her in various hues of green and red and dark, dark blue. Paint brushes were mutilated and delicate tools tossed the ground in the wake of the artist’s rampage. Money spent became art destroyed. She set her sights on her finished works. She’d despised them the moment she had set down the brush, but had simply been grateful that they were done. The colors were all wrong-- they clashed, they looked like vomit, they were simply disgusting and she would not have any more of it.

The knife quelled those thoughts, cutting through the canvas,

through the paint. Slashing at it until there were nothing but scraps left. The gutted frame of the canvas sat on the easel, the painting it once bore with pride now in tattered ruins that were nothing more than scraps on the floor.

The door creaked, or perhaps it was the artist’s own imagination as she continued her destructive path. Canvas after canvas, painting after painting, tool after tool. All were destroyed by the shiny silver knife, the one instrument she had ever truly needed.

The canvases shredded easily, quickly. Except for the last one. It was stubborn, and it would not tear. It was thicker, the cloth heavier and the picture upon it more lifelike. It could have been one of her greatest works, her muse, perhaps. Yet it had to die, just like all of the other works before it. It had to be gone, for she would not have it taunt her any longer.

The knife plunged again and again and again, the same slash repeated over and over. The thickness of the canvas was torn, the paint running like water, though it was thicker. She must have knocked over an open can of it, and that was why this piece was so stubborn.

Cuts went deep, deeper than a canvas ought to. It struck something hard, and the knife seemed to recoil before it was hefted upwards once more and was jabbed into a new spot. Something softer, easier to cut through with the bright blade. No one spot was the same.

Yell after yell, stab after stab, until the canvas was mutilated like all the rest. The red paint was spattered around the studio, stuck in the artist’s hands, her face, her hair until she tasted it in her mouth. It was marked on the walls, the couch, and the ruins of works. The knife was coated in paint. The artist stared at her masterpiece. It could have been beautiful, it could have been muse-worthy. Generations after could have looked at it as her magnum opus, a defining moment in artistic genius and wonder.

Yet it was destroyed. Unmoving and well and truly gutted.

Whatever the artist had sought to make was gone in the destroyed body of the muse.

Inspiration was dead.

Every Sun Sets

By Celia Thome

Her light brown waves swept around the curves of my camera lens, the perfect circle, enveloping her in a frame of pure bliss, as if she had been made for my eyes to watch, my picture to take. I could hear her laugh from across the grassy courtyard as she pored over herself, her legs sprawled out underneath her summer dress on the green spiral of blades beneath her. She rubbed the hem of the fabric inbetween her delicate fingers and smiled down at them. I knew she was thinking about me, and I could see the reflection of my creeping smile in the shine of my camera ’ s dark surface.

I had imagined the day that she fell in love with me many times, but I could see it more clearly in the past winter months, as if the snow had soaked away the haze, as it seeped into my bare skin. When she saw me across the diner, seated at a booth, all alone. Why is such a handsome man sitting by himself? she must have thought, curling her silky hair around her pointer finger, hoping I would notice. I could see it in her light eyes, contrasting her tan skin, that she loved me in that moment. It never left her after that, and neither did I. I fell for her as violently as she did for me, staring, eyes locked across the room, hoping one would approach the other.

It was so fairytale-like as I shook against the seat of my booth, scared silly that she wouldn’t like me. That has always been my issue in our relationship. I am forever too afraid that she’ll up and leave me, taken aback by a striking young, wild man who could give her more than I could even work for. I suppose that’s what has kept us from perfection after all these years, but we don’t need that, we have love. A pure, full-body enveloping feeling that roots in my chest every morning when I come to watch the sunrise.

I peer out my window, across the street from my dear, my perfect, and I watch as the glowing sun awakes from its ventures with the night sky and returns to guide me. Its image pours into my hands from my windowsill and I drink it up with my dark eyes, imagining that they are across from hers, dissecting her soul through the shallow slits above her full cheeks. I wake up every morning just minutes before the light arises and bless my presence, a few moments to prepare before it comes into my life once more, the drug that I salivate for in my time apart.

When she said “I love you, ” I cried all night long, in the dark, her warm glow so distant underneath the sheets that comforted me in my overwhelming joy. She had whispered it across the room in a crowded dining hall, as she reunited with a friend. My head whipped backwards, searching for someone else she could have been speaking to, but the only other figure was the man she was now eating with at a small round table. I smiled stupidly as I left and trailed down the road back to my apartment. She loved me.

The edges of my chapped lips turn up as I circle around to the front of her building for the third time, peering up at her open window. I want to surprise her. I want to make her fall in love again and again. I wait for someone to open the main door with their key and I hurry in after them, taking the stairs to the second floor. My feet drag down the hallway in my scuffed black sneakers and halt in front of her door. I’ve been here before, weeks ago when I figured out which apartment was hers. They seem so big, towering over me as I grow overly conscious of my insignificance. It’s like a doorway to heaven, the sun shining through the gaps along its edges, beckoning me to enter, to see my god.

And then the light that surrounds her door becomes blue, and blood spills out of it in red flashes, syncing with the sirens that thud against my ears in a muffled, pounding rhythm. I hear her scream, and that scream brakes me. “Stop following me, ” she howls, “I don’t know who you are. ”

What do you mean? You love me.

The door to the police car slams as a lean back on my cuffed hands, the seat fabric scratchy against my sweatshirt. I can’t see the vehicle around me, if so, only in blurs, what my eyes trace is my sun, in her bright glory, breaking me, beating me, my heart spilling onto the white fabric of her rug beneath her bed that she steps onto every morning as I watch her. Across the street, so far, yet so close as she dresses, as she smiles at me.

“I don’t understand,” I creak, my voice unused for days, gone unneeded in my solidarity. Two eyes focus on mine through the front mirror, skeptical and almost disgusted, their innocent blue color contrasting the darkness of the car.

“Creep,” he spits, the dribble landing on the dashboard, flooding my soul with shame. I love her. That’s all. I should have talked to her at that diner, told her that she woke me up every morning, shining through my curtains. I should have told her, but I watched from a distance. She wouldn't have liked me.

I press my face against the cold window and see her shadow in the dark night, surrounded by officers. Her outline looks scared and that kills me. I have pictures of her, where she’s in a state like this. On my camera, it was all on my camera. I hated those images of her unhappiness. I like the ones where she was smiling. Smiling at me?

Why was she so scared?

“Don’t be afraid, my dear.” I whisper into the glass, my breath fogging in a perfect circle around my head, blocking my vision of the activity outside. I will come back and comfort her. She needs me. My sun will set if I’m not there to watch her rise. I won’t rise if I don’t have a sun. I will freeze.