Issue 1 - October 2025

THE PROSPECTOR

SELF-DIAGNOSES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Exploring the detriments of self-diagnosing mental illness through online content

OPINIONS

One-Size Stores: Ethical or Unethical? pg. 8

Friends for The Philippines pg. 14

LIFESTYLES

Does “Bad Press” Still Pay? pg. 24

POSTSCRIPT

The Summer I ___ ___ pg. 30

ISSUE 1, VOL 68 OCT. 2025

FEATURES

IN THIS ISSUE

news

The Future of Special Education

in FUHSD................................... 04 FUHSD SEAT

Initiative...................................... 06 New Cafeteria Menu.................. 07

opinions

22:

One-Size Stores......................... 08 Self-diagnoses on Social

The Impact of Construction

22: on Sports

Media........................................ 10

sports

features

Shakeri........................................ 20

Step by Step: Mr. Gilmore’s Weight Loss Journey............................. 12 Friends for The Philippines........ 14

investigations

Bias in Textbooks....................... 16 Extracurriculars: Starting Early vs.

Late............................................ 18 Mr. Gilmore’s Weight 12: Loss Journey

Athlete of the Month: Nira The Impact of Construction on Sports......................................... 22

lifestyles

Does “Bad Press” Still Pay?........ 24 Performative Culture................... 26

postscript

Column: Nostalgia Tells Me I’m Doing Something Wrong....................... 28 The Summer I ____ ____ ............ 30

SEAT 06: FUHSD Initiative FRONT COVER DESIGNED BY MIYA WIDMAN BACK COVER DESIGNED BY MIYA WIDMAN

THE PROSPECTOR

STAFF 2025-2026

editors-in-chief Amrita Brar Nitya Dhulipala managing editors Miya Widman Nikhil Krishnaswamy news editor Laura Chen opinions editor Ashley Qi features editors Celine Zhang Saba Sharifolnasabi investigations editor Madalina Zheng lifestyles editors Atrisa Rahgozar Katie Mak postscript editor Cathy Wu copy editors Angela Kim Ashley Qi Celine Zhang Laura Chen

sports editor Rebecca Wawda social media managers Chloe Choe Nimrit Gandhi online editors Angela Kim Atrisa Rahgozar Chloe Choe Mason Lien Nimrit Gandhi Saba Sharifolnasabi Zain Haseeb writers Alina Tie, Anderson Chang, Annika Bagga, Anuj Shah, Calista Fu, Cecilia Zhou, Chloe Han, Elaine Chen, Emily Chen, Hana Widman, Izumi Rubin, James Li, Kayla Lee, Netra Dsouza, Nishaant Sinha, Rola Ali, Sarah Kim, Sophia Yee, Srinika Joshi, Zoe Jerajani, Zoe Wang

advisor Ann Shriver-Peck Editorial Policy “The Prospector” is an open forum of expression for student editors to inform and educate their readers. It will not be reviewed by or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisors may and should coach and discuss content during the writing process.

The staff of “The Prospector” seeks to recognize individuals, events and ideas and bring news to the Cupertino community in an accurate, professional and unbiased manner. “The Prospector” will not avoid publishing a story solely on the basis of possible dissent or controversy.

If you believe an error has been made or wish to have your opinion expressed in “The Prospector,” please contact us via mail or email. Letters sent become the sole property of “The Prospector” and can be edited for length, clarity or accuracy.

“The Prospector” editorial board reserves the right to accept or reject any ad in accordance with its advertising policy.

Contact Us: chsprospector@gmail.com The Prospector 10100 Finch Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Dear readers, Welcome to a new year at Cupertino High School! Whether you’re a freshman stepping onto campus for the very first time or a senior who knows these halls like the back of your hand, the start of a new year represents a fresh start for everyone.

In our first issue of the year, The Prospector has explored the voices and stories that reflect both our generation’s curiosity and its challenges. On page 26, Madalina Zheng examines the impact of performative culture, revealing how online trends and social media expression often reflect deeper societal questions about authenticity and self-expression. On page 10, Cathy Wu investigates the rise of self-diagnosing through social media and the complex consequences it can have on how we understand mental health.

On page 12, Alina Tie sits down with Coach Gilmore to discuss his inspiring journey toward a healthier lifestyle, and explores a story of perseverance, balance and self-care. In her thoughtful column on page 28, Izumi Rubin reflects on nostalgia, reminding us that looking back can often shape the way we move forward.

As you flip through the pages of our first issue of the year, know that your support for The Prospector is well appreciated. We thank you for engaging and look forward to an amazing year at CHS. Sincerely, Amrita Brar, Nitya Dhulipala, Miya Widman, Nikhil Krishnaswamy

THE FUTURE

NEWS

SPECIAL

Examining Fremont Union High School Distri ANUJ SHAH, CELINE ZHANG, NIMRIT GAND- ated with DEIA, would have fundHI, NITYA DHULIPALA, ROLA ALI, SARAH KIM ed training regarding ableism,

in efforts to prevent discrimination against disabled people. uring his first week in office, UnitAccording to the official stateed States President Donald Trump ment released on the White House signed an executive order that website, “Americans deserve a eliminates diversity, equity, inclusion and government committed to servWITHHELD FROM accessibility programs — a change that ing every person with equal digcould drastically impact the lives of spe- nity and respect, and to expendTHE 2025-2026 cial needs students. Due to the adminis- ing precious taxpayer resources SCHOOL YEAR tration’s decision to dismantle the Depart- only on making America great.” ment of Education, the future of special On July 1, 2025, the administraeducation has become increasingly un- tion withheld $7 billion for the 2025predictable, and the support given to 2026 school year — funds that supthese students has been compromised. port Title II teacher training, school Beginning in January 2025, Trump programs and academic enrichhas made significant efforts to disman- ment programs. These grant-fundWITHHELD FROM tle DEIA programs that protect disabled ed programs would have been individuals, in hopes of ending wasteful used to support vulnerable stuADULT EDUCATION spending across the federal government. dents. Later in July, another $715 This included weakening health million in basic adult education was care affordability and access; withheld, with half of the affected not being able to provide free adults having a learning disability. public education to all disabled Although these funds were evenchildren due to a lack of funding; tually unfrozen, schools were still eliminating individualized edu- thrown into chaos and many special IN TEACHER TRAINING GRANTS cation programs; and removing education programs were halted. services, benefits and regulaCUT FROM THE DEPARTMENT According to the Center for tions. Trump’s order also direct- American Progress, more than one OF EDUCATION ed the termina- in four adults in the United States tion of offices, have a disability. Since 2019, the job-positions, disabled community has grown DISABLED POPULATION FROM 2019 TO 2024 websites and faster than the overall populapartnerships tion — 12% to 3.6%, respectively. that are direct- Now more than ever, high-quali17,000 ed towards ty special education is crucial to a d v a n c i n g support this increasing population.

DEIA. AddiFUHSD schools have not been tionally, the heavily impacted by the feder16,000 D e p a r t m e n t al funding cuts that have resulted of Education from the dismantling of the DOE later cut more because they are not financially than $600 mil- reliant on the federal government.

15,000 lion in teacher “We get some specific federtraining grants al funding for special education,” 14,500 in February said Nancy Sullivan, Director of 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025. These Education and Special Services in grants, which FUHSD. “Then we also get some were associSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

$7 B

$715 M

Number in thousands

4 | DESIGNED BY LAURA CHEN

$600 M

writers | features editor | spotlight editor | editor-in-chief

D

OF FUHSD

EDUCATION

ct’s response to federal special education funding cuts own support to these students. “[The FUHSD board] said, ‘No, we have significant populations, and we think we can do a better job of instructing those kids, supporting those kids on their process through the eighth, ninth through 12th grades, and then those that need the postsecondary support.’”

TOTAL FUHSD BUDGET Despite federal attempts to cut protective initiatives funding special education programs across the country, FUHSD feels confident in its Instruction ability to maintain its special educaMaintenence tion programs — district officials are Administration positive that there will be no major changes affecting this in the future.

“We will always support the kids that we have who need extra support, and we’ll figure out a way to do it,” CHS principal Bill Schloss said.

“I don’t see us taking support away from this — it’s just not an option.”

OF THE OVERALL DISTRICT Although FUHSD serves as a safe haven for students with disabilBUDGET COMES FROM ities, the future of disabled rights FEDERAL FUNDING is unpredictable, especially for schools reliant on federal funding.

The changing rights of the disabled community FUHSD REVENUE BY FUNDING SOURCE leave special edu100% cation stuFederal Revenue ($3.3 M) dents and adults in 80% State Revenue ($7.9 M) uncertainty, ultimately Local Revenue ($10.8 M) posing con60% cerns for LCFF & Property Taxes the overall ($213.7 M) 40% protection of these indiFUHSD is Basic Aid or “communityviduals’ lives

$260 M 1.5%

20% 0%

funded” and most of the District’s revenue comes from local property taxes.

NEWS | 5

state funding specific for special education. And then the reality is, those two pots of money combined are not enough to pay for all of special education, so we also get contributions from local funds for it.”

Federal funding is only a minor component of district funding that FUHSD receives, due to FUHSD being a Basic Aid district, meaning it is community funded. Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and property taxes, along with some state taxes, make up a majority of the district’s revenue. For the 20252026 school year, around $213.7 million of FUHSD’s district budget comes from LCFF and property taxes, compared to mere $3.3 million that comes from federal revenue.

Of the remaining budget, $7.9 million comes from state revenue and $10.8 million from local revenue.

Said FUHSD Superintendent Graham Clark, “Losing 1.5% of your budget is a problem, but not a huge problem.”

Furthermore, Cupertino High School always ensures a welcoming and supportive environment for students with special needs. The CHS special education department offers a range of programs and specialists to support students with disabilities. Clubs such as Tino Best Buddies have student officers plan activities and provide fun experiences for those with learning disabilities. Additionally, CHS and other schools in the district have teams dedicated to supporting and guiding disabled students, such as special education paraeducators.

Fremont High School Principal Bryan Emmert explains that for a long time in the past, disabled students got sent to other places for support. However, in time FUHSD was able to offer their

FUHSD

INITIATIVE

Introducing Fremont Union High School District’s new equity-based student groups ANDERSON CHANG, ANGELA KIM, ASHLEY QI, SOPHIA YEE writers | online opinions editor | opinions editor

S

6 | THE PROSPECTOR

tarting autumn of 2025, Fremont Union High School District will implement Site Equity Action Teams at all five of its campuses in an effort to improve inclusion among students.

In recent years, members of the FUHSD administrative team have made an effort to deeply examine equity issues affecting the district. While site teams previously existed across the district under the name Equity in Action, groups were primarily working in isolation. Adminis- t r a - t i v e leaders realized that a greater focus on

equity issue to tackle and the future scalability of its implemented solution. Students will have a significantly intra-district deeper influence over campus issues. collaboration and “We want teams to go slow in terms of administrative access was determining where their leverage is and necessary for tangible results. SEAT what issues need their attention,” Maisel marks a renewed effort to build upon said. “Our job at the district level is to past knowledge and scale equity efforts. provide resources and support for them “We have been noticing pockets of to follow their passion and their project. brilliance everywhere, but nobody was We’re trying to keep this relatively open.” really sharing information,” FUHSD DiAdditionally, Maisel recognizes that rector of Leadership Development John FUHSD metrics analyzMaisel said. “This initiative is ining success are tended to allow teams at not completeeach site to learn from ly reflective of YOU’RE NOT GOING TO each other, and allow all students’ SOLVE THE PROBLEMS for the kind of supexperiences. port we have in the FOR PEOPLE, YOU HAVE TO While United district to be used States News and SOLVE THEM WITH THEM. in a team setting.”

World Report JOHN MAISEL The SEAT diviranks three of the sion comprises sevfive FUHSD high en sites, schools in the top 30 of representing high schools in California, there remains the five schools i n a gap between the lived experience the district along with of students and the statistical profile.

FUHSD Adult School “If you look beneath the hood, and FUHSD Educational you see that not every student here Options. Each SEAT team has is experiencing the success that you 10-15 people per site. Teams see in the newspapers,” Maisel said. are composed of approximately “That’s where we have work to do.” four to six students, four to six staff The long-term goal of SEAT members and one administrator. is to transform schools so that stuMembers of SEAT come from dents find their work meaningful and a diverse set of backgrounds feel more connected to their teachers and involvement levels. Some are and peers. FUHSD hopes that by imequipped with experience through plementing SEAT, they are building the Racial Equity Student Leader- an inclusive environment where comship Academy and others are sim- munity members are not only able but ply interested in contributing their also interested in contributing, and unique perspective through SEAT. schools are able to use the best pracTeams focus their attention on tices by learning from one another. a vast set of issues affecting the stu“You’re not going to solve the dent body, both inside and outside the problems for people,” Maisel said. classroom. From localized subjects “You have to solve them with them” such as club organizations to vast district issues of transportation, SEAT allows sites to choose both their school-specific

“

”

NEW CAFETERIA MENU Cupertino High School’s fall 2025 menu adds new plant-based options

T

sistence as a genetic trait, which demon-

CHLOE CHOE demands menu adjustments based strate student multimedia editor

he Cupertino High School cafeteria implemented new plant-based brunch and lunch entrées for the fall 2025 menus. New items include vegan and gluten-free fried rice, garden vegan plant-based hummus, housemade smoothies, vegan chilli, vegan plant-based banh mi sandwiches and nachos. The application of new plant-based meals stemmed from senior Livia Aschheim’s goal to make school lunches more sustainable and delicious, combined with the effort from the district nutrition manager, Mrs. Puri.

Said Aschheim, “I think most students just want the food to taste good, and then maybe secondarily, for it to be healthy.” Aschheim recognized that plant-based food saves thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide every year and preserves more land to save water. Aschheim also considered the higher rate of lactose intolerance at CHS due to its Asian American population, having lactase non-per-

Plant-based banh mi sandwiches

on the demographic of students. interest, with 90% of Aschheim’s journey to create a survey participants agreeing to change in the cafeteria menu start- her petition. After years of camed in her sophomore year of high paigns and meetings, the 2025 school, when she joined a student fall brunch and lunch menus association for equity. Although were finally implemented at CHS. now disbanded, the organization “People think that I’m trying sparked her interest in pursuing to take away meat, and that’s her solo campaign towards sus- not true,” Aschheim said. “I just tainable food options. After several want to increase plant-based acmeetings with Fremont Union High cessibility, and, in turn, [make] School District Nutrition Manag- those options more sustainable.” er Divya Puri, Aschheim searched To put the new cafetefor ways to bring more plant- ria meal plan into action, the based food options to the table. CHS cafeteria made internal “[Mrs. Puri] said that she adjustments by training staff wouldn’t be able to add plant-based and finding a new vendor. options because she can’t cater to Although the cost of impleeveryone’s needs, which I totally un- menting new cafeteria items derstand,” Aschheim said. “So then, was not significant, difficulty why? Why can’t you add more plant- arose in procuring the items. based options? [...] How can I help Offering gluten-free menu items to make your job easier and make such as fried rice requires methis process as easy as possible?” ticulous cross-contamination Working together with nutrition inspection — a strenuous task security and a public health advoca- when managing a high volume cy organization called “Balanced,” of ingredients due to the nature Aschheim gathered petition sig- of cafeteria meal preparation natures to support her cause and

House-made smoothies

Vegan and glutenfree fried rice Vegan nachos

NEWS | 7

...and other items

OPINIONS

ONE-SIZE STORES

KATIE MAK, ZOE JERAJANI

8 | DESIGNED BY ASHLEY QI

lifestyles editor | writer

Examining the societal and cultural impacts of one-size clothing stores

O

bol out of being thin. The ability to wear these brands becomes less about the clothes and more about being able to fit into something — something not everyone can do.

Kristin Kulp, chief consumer experience officer at extended-size denim company Not Your Daughters Jeans, said in fashion publication Glossy, “Brands tend to use the ‘one size fits most’ approach to encapsulate a sense of body inclusivity, without doing the work and i n -

“

ONE SIZE

[...] THEY HAVE CREATED THIS BRAND AROUND [THE IDEA THAT] BEING ABLE TO FIT IN THEIR CLOTHES MEANS SOMETHING, AND YOU MEAN SOMETHING IN TERMS OF THE BEAUTY STANDARD.

”

KARA ROWLEY

stead keeping it surface-level and cost-effective.”

This illusion of inclusivity can harm young girls’ mental health, reinforcing the idea that fitting into limited sizes equals worth, as seen in Brandy Melville’s branding.

“I think it is affirming to some people who have body dysmorphia, unfortunately, but Brandy Melville’s doing it in a toxic way,” Kara Rowley, a senior sales associate at Pitaya, said in The State News. “I’ve heard people strive to fit into Brandy Melville’s clothes. I think Brandy Melville is alive and well because they’ve created this brand around the idea that being able to fit in their clothes means

something — and you mean something in terms of the beauty standard.”

Some argue that brands are simply giving consumers what they want. According to Global Data’s Neil Saunders, Brandy Melville generated over $212.5 million in revenue in 2023, despite criticism for its exclusive sizing. One could argue the brand’s success reflects its demand.

However, the relationship between brands and consumers isn’t so simple. Brands shape demand through careful branding. When a brand consistently showcases only one body type, it creates a culture that supports its model.

They make being skinny aspirational and elite, selling the idea that only certain body types are worth representing.

Furthermore, consumers, especially teens, often lean into this exclusivity. In some social circles or online, wearing Brandy Melville becomes a status symbol. This peer pressure perpetuates the lifestyle and standards the brand promotes.

Large corporations have the resources to offer inclusive sizing but choose not to. Inclusivity shouldn’t be treated as a trend or an unprofitable practice — it should be the standard. Brands must be held accountable for the images and ideals they promote, especially when they gravely impact young consumers’ mental health and self-value.

As consumers, we have the power to shift this exclusive culture by supporting brands that promote size inclusivity and healthy, diverse representations of beauty. Demanding better from the brands we wear will ultimately push the greater evolution of the fashion industry

OPINIONS | 9

ne size fits all” — a seemingly inclusive statement that in reality masks the meaning of “one size fits small.”

Popular brands like Brandy Melville and subsidiaries of Aritzia and Pacsun have built fashion empires through exclusive branding, and vulnerable consumers are paying the price.

For countless shoppers, browsing one-size clothing quickly turns sour. Clothing that fits only a narrow body type sends a harmful message: if someone doesn’t fit the clothing, they don’t fit the brand. The result? A growing number of teens feel pressured to fit these clothes.

For clothing brands, selling one size is a cost-effective shortcut — less inventory, faster production, lower manufacturing costs.

According to Nova of London, a women’s fashion wholesaler in the United Kingdom, it also minimizes excess stock and allows brands to pass on savings to customers, granting accessibility to a wider audience. This strategy is largely beneficial to smaller businesses trying to maximize profit.

Small boutiques often lack the capacity to offer size diversity. To produce pieces for a range of sizes, stores must change the whole pattern instead of merely resizing them. This process is costly and labor-intensive, using more fabric and taking more time. As many small businesses already face challenges with growth and sustainability, implementing these changes isn’t always feasible.

In contrast, larger corporations have the resources to widen their size ranges — they simply choose not to. So, why do fashion empires like Brandy Melville, Aritzia, and Pacsun follow this model?

The answer is simple: corporations don’t just sell clothes; they sell a lifestyle. By offering limited sizes, brands create a status sym-

SELF-diagnoses on

Social media Exploring the detriments of self-diagnosing mental illness through online content CATHY WU

T

10 | THE PROSPECTOR

postscript editor

op 10 Signs You Have a Mental Health Disorder.” At first, it looks like any other Instagram reel, featuring harmless advice — yet the algorithm pushes similar content to the recommended feed, planting the idea of having a serious disorder in a user’s mind. Within days of scrolling, that user is prone to join the growing group of self-diagnosing teenagers.

Across social media, content creators are openly discussing their experiences with mental health. People turn to these platforms for support — taking advice from misinformed creators who trivialize the symptoms of serious, often debilitating mental illnesses.

Impressionable teenage viewers who are not familiar with the complexities of mental health begin to identify with symptoms of mental health disorders.

In a 2022 study by the National Institute of Mental Health, a team of medical professionals assessed the top 100 videos posted under the TikTok hashtag #mentalhealth, offering anecdotes and advice on anxiety, depression, neurodivergence and severe mental illness.

They concluded that 52 of the 100 videos contained misinformation, including misused psychological terms, “quick fix” solutions and false claims. Over the years, medical researchers have further established that social media plat-

forms are becoming a minefield of unhelpful and sometimes dangerous implications.

Many videos offer insight solely based on anecdotal evidence and personal experiences, which may not be universally applicable.

Users are seeing an overgeneralized portrayal of complex mental health disorders, resulting in widespread confusion about what mental illness actually entails.

Some posts misuse therapeutic language, like using wellbeing, anxiety and mental disorder interchangeably. Others pathologize everyday experiences and emotions — suggesting that they indicate a serious mental illness — which sets the harmful precedent that identifying with a certain behavior means having a diagnosable disorder.

Relying on social media for mental health advice can also mislead people toward incorrect self-diagnoses. If someone “likes” an Instagram reel about obsessive-compulsive disorder, the platform begins to feed them more videos featuring

similar topics. People are drawn to simple and attention-grabbing stories over complex explanations, often favori n g inform a -

ADHD SYMPTOMS

DEPRESS

tion that supports what they already believe. This tendency is linked to the confirmation bias — the viewer is more likely to develop negative symptoms or side effects that align with what they expect to experience. In other words, posts equating particular symptoms to a disorder could cause an impressionable viewer to engage in behaviors that confirm that they do, in fact, have the disorder.

Some creators on this side of social media will cater to younger audiences by approaching these nuanced topics in a light-

SYMPTOMS

DEPRESSION

determine whether a person has a specific mental disorder. When searching for answers, people need to refer to psychiatrists who are trained to recognize a broad range of behaviors instead of unqualified content creators.

“Coming from someone diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, and general anxiety disorder, I find it deeply frustrating to see mental illness become a trend — it totally disrespects people who have a real diagnosis,” one Reddit user said. “If you are struggling, that’s valid, but seek proper help and don’t speak over people living with the reality of these disorders. [...] It is not

“

IT IS NOT ABOUT INVALIDATING YOUR PAIN — IT IS ABOUT PROTECTING REAL PEOPLE, REAL DIAGNOSES AND YOUR OWN GROWTH.

REDDIT USER

”

about invalidating your pain — it is about protecting real people, real diagnoses and your own growth.”

People seeking genuine mental health support need a formal assessment performed by a medical professional. Young social media consumers need to distinguish between sharing subjective experiences and making definitive decisions about their mental health.

As internet consumers, being conscious of the material promoted on social media is crucial in reducing the prevalence of belief in misleading health advice. This issue also demands broader educational efforts to boost media literacy, from which teens can exercise critical skills in responding to information in a public health context

OPINIONS | 11

hearted manner. Content that features humor and satire is designed to be shareable, expanding its reach. This allows influencers to bypass the criticism that more direct forms of misformation might receive. Creators who preface their content with vulnerability make it harder to challenge them, as criticism can easily be reframed as a personal attack on their subjective experiences.

Additionally, adolescents are in a phase of self-discovery during which they find comfort in communities that validate their experiences. When online voices claim to understand their concerns, they latch onto that connection and find an escape within those communities — associating that sense of relief with the concept of having a mental illness.

Some argue that these platforms provide a space for people to discuss their struggles in an attempt to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Others are quick to call out the inaccessibility of professional mental health services and how online spaces fill this gap by offering valuable resources.

However, tips on social media should never be relied upon in place of qualified support, despite the sense of community it may provide. Receiving proper treatment for mental disorders requires a long and involved process, as they are rarely straightforward. There are no infallible tests that

FEATURES

PE teacher James Gilmore shares his fitness journey ALINA TIE

I

12 | DESIGNED BY CELINE ZHANG

writer

t is 4:45 a.m., and the alarm sounds as James Gilmore gets ready to start his day — preparing for his three-mile walk, morning exercise and a day of work as a Physical Education teacher at Cupertino High School.

This daily routine has helped Gilmore shape his journey to a healthier life, during which he lost 120 pounds in one year. As a PE teacher and sports coach for the past 24 years, Gilmore has extensive expertise in the field of fitness, now reinforced by his personal experiences.

In 2017, Gilmore took on the job of athletic director, his first major leadership role. However, with his new responsibilities, he often found himself working late — prioritizing work over his family and health. “I was more scared about making a mistake and letting somebody down than I’ve ever been before,” Gilmore said.

As a result of neglecting his health, Gilmore gained significant weight. And despite some attempts at establishing better routines, relying solely on motivation would only take him so far.

“I would be good for three days, but then I would have a day where I just did whatever I wanted,” Gilmore said.

The turning point came in July 2024, after a family vacation.

“There’s times when you want to be out with your family, and you’re taking pictures [...] and you try to choose to always be the one tak-

“

”

into his PE classes, Gilmore also openly shares his story with his students.

“When I teach PE, I feel like I am no longer just talking the talk — I’m walking the walk, too,” Gilmore said. “And that makes me happy.”

Ultimately, Gilmore’s journey demonstrates the importance of perseverance and taking that first step — helping Gilmore build his own strength and confidence after overcoming all his challenges.

“I think when it comes down to it, I made one good decision, and then one good decision turned into two good decisions, and then they just kept piling [on],” Gilmore said. “But I understand it can go the other way too, so I’m just trying to be the kind of person who makes good choice after good choice”

FEATURES | 13

a while, [...] and so I think that exercising is the key to maintaining where I’ve been,” Gilmore said.

Beyond diet and exercise, changes in Gilmore’s daily routine and habits were equally important. Gilmore doesn’t reach for his phone in the morning — instead, ing pictures instead he puts his feet on the ground. of being in them. And “It sounds stupid, but once I just [found] myself doing your feet are on the ground, then all that all the time,” Gilmore said. you’re up and you’re going, and “I remember seeing pictures that your day is started,” Gilmore said. other people took of me on [the Gilmore also shared pieces vacation], and I just really didn’t of advice that he wears on wristlike what I saw. And I don’t know bands — including motivational what made it click or not, but when quotes like “Never Miss Twice” I came back from that vacation, I and “You Are What You Repeat.” decided to make These principles a change.” helped guide him to Cutting off where he is now. alcohol was I’M JUST TRYING Still, Gilmore Gilmore’s first TO BE THE KIND OF looks back at his concrete step in PERSON WHO MAKES journey with humilhis weight loss GOOD CHOICE AFTER ity. journey, since he “I should not be GOOD CHOICE. often ate more congratulated for than necessary losing weight JAMES GILMORE after drinking. [...],” Gilmore Then, rather than said. “There’s restricting how much he ate, Gilmpeople who work out all ore changed what he was eating. the time and are disciplined At first, he maintained a zero-carenough that they never got to bohydrate and no sugar diet — that point [...], and I think those including cutting off fruits for the are the people that should really first few months — then shifting to be celebrated, not [that] I let mya protein, non-starchy vegetable self go and brought myself back.” and low-carb diet after about six Gilmore also received support months. from others. Craig Ellegood, anFor exercise, Gilmore built other PE teacher at CHS, helped a home gym in his backyard, guide Gilmore to work around a since traveling to a gym to work shoulder injury by strengthening out would always leave room for all the muscles excuses. What started as a few around it. Furbands, a rack of dumbbells and a thermore, the repull-up bar would grow to a large sources given to setup with a wide range of equipGilmore as a PE ment, where Gilmore regularly teacher helped does his exercises — making sure build his diet and to include rest days so he doesn’t plans. overwork himself.

To bring his “I feel strong for the first time in experiences

Friends For Taking a look at the experiences of CHS students pursuing humanitarian and medical aid overseas ANNIKA BAGGA, ROLA ALI

A writers

14 | DESIGNED BY SABA SHARIFOLNASABI

t Cupertino High School, countless students work to make an impact within the community. However, certain teenagers have taken this a step further, expanding their impact to an entirely different country — the Philippines.

Founded by Dr. Julieta Gabiola, Friends for the Philippines, also known as Summer Global Health Immersion Program, helps underprivileged Filipino communities gain equal access to healthcare and medical resources. CHS students devote one month of their summer to shadowing doctors, conducting medical research, working with

wildlife and extending their impact beyond the Cupertino community.

Although SGHIP aims to provide support primarily to Filipino communities, the program welcomes students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Senior Zaina Musetra participated in the program last summer.

She was initially drawn to SGHIP when Dr. Gabiola introduced the program to CHS as a guest speaker at Tino Global Health.

After learning about the program and applying, she was excited to be accepted. Musetra had a learning-heavy yet enjoyable experience while in the Philippines.

At one point during a shadowing rotation, Musetra was helping a patient who had multiple complexities. This case was especially difficult because medica-

tions couldn’t cure one issue without making another worse.

She and the doctors gathered to discuss further when Musetra’s patient started crying.

Said Musetra, “We initially thought that it might have been because she thought that we couldn’t figure out something for her, but she was just really overwhelmed with the effort that we were putting into taking care of her.”

Musetra reflected on the heartwarming experience.

“That was a moment that kind of made me want to pause and just reflect on what we were doing,” Musetra said. “From our perspective, it was just volunteering and doing the internship. But for someone else, it was really having an impact on them.”

One of the main goals of the program is to conduct research on community-related topics. In previous years, students have explored a variety of fields, from diabetes to the social determinants of health.

Students also visit certain

The Philippines continuing to drive change in the community. Overall, the program makes a powerful impact, challenging students to provide healthcare to a less fortunate country.

“If you are not directly affected by [healthcare disparities], it’s easy to turn a blind eye to it,” Chinnananchi said. “It’s good to have some perspective on the way the rest of the w o r l d works”

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communities within the Philippines that are facing significant challenges, sometimes taking hour-long bus rides to get to an affected town. They work to understand different groups’ struggles and unmet needs.

Senior Julia Chinnananchi has been a key member of this organization for two years.

Working as a lead for her final summer in the Philippines, Chinnananchi also left the program with many new perspectives.

“You shouldn’t just confine yourself to the Cupertino bubble,” Chinnananchi said. “Whatever narrative that’s been pushed on you, if you don’t connect with it, then it’s probably not for you.”

In the United States, there are many restrictions on what students can practice in the medical field. However, in the Philippines, students can go as far as diagnosing patients. These unique experiences allow students like Chinnananchi to explore their interests and discover a new realm of opportunities outside of their everyday environment.

Friends for the Philippines has been a major organization since 2009, helping people in need while simultaneously offering students eye-opening experiences. CHS participants see it thriving in the foreseeable future and

INVESTIGATIONS

Exploring the factors behind textbook bias and its subtle influence at CHS

low the general guidelines given by the state.

CECILIA ZHOU Due to the government-cenwriter lmost everyone is aware tered process in which educaof the constant media bias tional regulations are established, present in their lives — ex- textbooks are likely to be suscepaggerated headlines plastered tible to political bias. As stated across the news, pushing person- by Action Parents Defending Edal beliefs in readers’ faces. But ucation, the problem arises from when these opinions bleed into how SBE and IQC members are school textbooks, presented as chosen: the governor appoints fact, many remain unaware of its representatives to the SBE, who subtle impact on students. From then help select IQC members. the the portrayal of historical figures Therefore, political ideto the omission of scientific concepts, bias in textbooks silently ologies of the influences how future generations governor are reflected in perceive the world.

Textbooks may seem like di- the individrect learning tools, but in reality, uals they they are a result of a complex po- c h o o s e , litical system subject to partiality. shaping the of According to the California De- values partment of Education, textbook the instrucguideselection begins with the State tional Board of Education, which sets lines managed overall content standards regard- by these groups.

These factors ing education in the state. The play a significant Instructional Quality Comrole in districts’ mission then reviews E decisions about H the criteria to S T RY ’ T which textbooks I TO INK F HIS AUSE to teach, and H I T E O BEC RIES publications E AG , TO EN NOW RE S O GIV Cwill even alD L I GO HT Y MO OLD T LL P RY ter the writdevelop RIG MAN NG T FU ISTO ings of an I E a frameSO E BE OR E H M H Y author T work for AR A F UNTR E O S to align S U RE educational CO OR R U M T with state S OU tools, recomWE OF standards. mending suitSaid Cupertino able options to High School social the SBE. If adoptstudies department lead ed by the SBE, these and teacher Sean Coleman, “This textbooks will form an instructional program f o r means that the basics usually get school materials. While individual covered well, but that textbooks districts are free to choose their don’t do a great job at making specific textbooks, they must fol- space for voices outside of the

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mainstream or events outside of traditional narratives.”

When applied to textbooks utilized at CHS, the materials typically follow California state standards as chosen by the Fremont Union School District board and CHS teachers. Since political textbook bias

is most relevant in history courses, the school district has put special attention to minimizing subjectivity in CHS history textbooks.

“I’ve had the opportunity to select textbooks for our department, and I’ve always made it a point to choose books that provide multiple perspectives and present content in as thoughtful a way as is possible,” Coleman said. Wes

Morse, another history teacher at CHS, shared similar views concerning diversity and partiality in CHS textbooks. “[The textbook is] giving women a voice, it’s giving people of color a voice. It’s addressing the issue of sexual identity in a way that I don’t feel is biased, but inclusionary,”

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Morse said.

Nevertheless, both teachers admit the ever-present bias in textual resources, as any form of writing can carry subjectivity through wording or phrasing.

“Bias is tough to avoid in textbooks in part because there can be so much to include,” Coleman said. “For example, creating a World History textbook means having to make really challenging decisions about which areas to cover and at which times in history.”

While textbook bias is unavoidable, the way it appears in textbooks can look very different depending on the state. According to The New York Times, textbooks in California place more emphasis on racism and exclusion in US history, whereas textbooks from

Texas tend to shy away from these book; it holds real weight in its topics. Other states have been re- outcomes within classrooms. As ported to have rejected textbooks of right now, CHS’s textbook bias that include controversial ideas is not especially pronounced, but of racism, in the past, reaching out students and to publishers I HOPE THAT STUDENTS teachers alike themselves to have noticed FEEL EMPOWERED TO TALK adjust content. instances of TO THEIR TEACHERS ABOUT This greatly bias. FitzpatTHE BIAS THEY SEE AND TO differs from the rick recalls that MAKE THAT THE STARTING textbooks in 18 years ago, POINT OF THEIR OWN JOURCalifornia. three-fourths NEY IN UNDERSTANDING THE “If there’s of the material WORLD AND THEMSELVES. an agenda of used focused SEAN COLEMAN California, it’s on Eurocento be more intric themes. clusive and Yet rather than tell more stories,” Morse said. completely dismissing European “I think some other states topics, Fitzpatrick clarifies that would rather not tell those he aims to engage more with distories, so they’re being verse historical perspectives as a more exclusionary. The bias teacher. Coleman also supports is bias by omission.” this idea, planning assignments The decision to leave out cer- to help students identify differing tain stories isn’t random; it like- views of historical events. ly reflects the wider political and Even in the face of textbook cultural views of the groups in the bias, teachers strive for objectivity state. Particular topics are exclud- by shedding light on partiality, aled from textbooks because they lowing students to better discern contradict the idealized portrayal the truth. Said Coleman, “I hope of US history. that students feel empowered to “There are some things that talk to their teachers about the our country did in the past that ar- bias they see and to make that the en’t very flattering to our national starting point of their own journey image,” Morse said, “I think there in understanding the world and are some people out there that t h e m would rather not have those stories amplified.”

Morse also addressed the changing public perception of bias and representation in history, along with its influence on the school’s instructional material. “I think it’s the golden age of history right now, because so many more stories are being told to give us a more full picture of the history of our country [...].” selves” This selective narrative is not just kept in the pages of a text-

ATRISA RAHGOZAR, HANA WIDMAN

W 18 | THE PROSPECTOR

lifestyles editor | writer

hen does beginning an extracurricular activity spark passion, and at what point does it become a result of pressure? Students at Cupertino High School have experienced both sides — some beginning their activities as children, others discovering their talents later in high school. With parents and peers influencing decision-making, the question remains of whether starting early offers an advantage or ultimately discourages personal motivation.

Early Starts Starting activities at a young age allows for experience, growth and confidence in the field. The physical benefits of playing sports

Analyzing the effects of early and late starts in extracurricular activities as a child is also highly evident, with many kids involved having increased strength, endurance and coordination. Studies indicate that a significant portion of college athletes began playing before their teenage years, with the majority of National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes participating in sports before the age of 10. Senior Anika Malik began playing tennis at only five years old.

Said Malik, “I think that playing at a younger age is better, because you get an early start, and you also get to grow as a person.”

Encouraged by her father and inspired by her tennis-playing sister, Malik developed her athletic abilities and traveled extensively

for tournaments.

A study conducted by The Child Focus Foundation suggests that starting early provides additional practice, a sense of fellowship and direction. This is important because it allows children to develop social skills at an earlier age so that they can collaborate with others effectively. Malik agreed that she felt connected to tennis from the young age she started playing.

“It definitely gave me a sense of belonging just because I already knew so much about tennis and the whole college recruiting process because of my older sister, Arushi,” Malik said. “[Starting early] was in some parts a lot eas-

age years, Florez has been able to do activities for the sole purto expand his passion beyond the pose of college applications is the classroom. most unhealthy.

“Taking Japanese has encourStarting activities like sports aged me to explore other parts and playing instruments at a of their culture,” Florez said. “For young age often leads to kids example, I ended up traveling to mastering their skills and becomplaces like Hiroshima and Kyoto ing successful in their field. Howto learn more about their history ever, years of big commitments and try their food.” can lead to built up pressure, and While he considers learning ultimately burnout for many young Japanese to be just a fun hobby, people.

Florez also expresses his desire Nevertheless, not all parents to become fluent in the language share these views, and some preand eventually aims to live in Ja- fer to wait until their kids are older pan as well. to discover their interests indeStill, Florez saw value in chal- pendently. lenging himself. Said Florez, “I enThis approach has both posicourage others to take the same tives and cons. Some may see alpath, because it helps to push lowing kids to begin activities later yourself to new heights.” as a waste, because they assume The Role of Parents that children will not be able to Parents play a large role in achieve as much in a short period their children’s extracurricular of time. However, when teenagers activities, especially when they are allowed to pick the hobby they start at such want to commit their an early age. time to, they are They often feel “LATE DISCOVERY IS more likely to stick r e s p o n s i b l e BETTER THAN NO DISCOVwith it. According for giving their ERY [...] YOU’RE STILL to the National Likids a head brary of Medicine, DEVELOPING AN IDENTITY start ahead when the motivation AND FIGURING OUT YOUR is rooted in personof their peers.

Motivated by GIFTS AND TALENTS. YOU al enjoyment, the DISCOVER THOSE AT the prospect of person is more endistinguished YOUR OWN PACE — NOT couraged to stay u n i v e r s i t i e s , SOMEONE ELSE’S. engaged and motisports scholarvated in an activity.

CHRISTOPHER HICKEY ships and proAlthough both fessional contracts, many parents sides have strong arguments, push their kids to be the best from overall success is ultimately dea very young age. termined by whether it is possible Said Cupertino High School to find enjoyment in them. therapist Christopher Hickey, “Late discovery is better than “Pressure from family and peers no discovery,” Hickey said. “[...] could have a positive effect if it is You’re still developing an identity realistic, but it needs to be sen- and figuring out your gifts and talsitive to the student’s needs and ents. You discover those at your abilities. Pressure can help us own pace — not someone else’s. push ourselves to be our best, You are not ‘behind’ just because but at a certain point, it becomes you see someone else who seems counterproductive and toxic.” to be a little further down the road.

Hickey also believes that sup- You don’t have to do what anyone porting a student’s interest is the else does, or on anyone else’s most important, while urging them time”

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ier for me, but then in some parts it was also hard just because I was compared to my sister a lot growing up. Regardless of this pressure, I think that starting early definitely helped me a lot in the long run.”

A research article on “The Long-Term Effects of Time Use during High School on Positive Development,” conducted by Jasper Tjaden et al., shows that beginning a sport at a young age can lead to increased pressure to excel as the child grows up.

Malik was under pressure to succeed and eventually commit to playing college tennis from those around her.

“Before I committed [to play collegiate tennis] there was just so much pressure from other people asking me where I was gonna commit, when I was gonna commit and if I had committed to college,” Malik said. “I think the pressure really helped me sometimes as well, because it taught me to work harder, and I tried my best. It was a bit of a mental process and there were a lot of mental breakdowns, but I did my best to keep up with the expectations.”

Late Starts Sophomore Julian Martinez Florez only began learning Japanese in high school.

Since the program was being phased out of school, Florez started at level two with no prior knowledge, making the experience both exciting and overwhelming.

“I started taking Japanese because I was interested in Japanese culture, and I enjoy the environment that I am surrounded by when taking the class,” Florez said.

Despite discovering his interest in Japanese during his teen-

20 | DESIGNED BY REBECCA WAWDA

SPORTS

Exploring the detriments self-diagnosing mentalexplor through online conDiving into sophomoreofNira Shakeri’s artistic swimmingillness journey CHLOE HAN

U writer

“

IN DIFFICULT TIMES, I’VE TRIED TO KEEP MY MIND ON MY OWN GOALS AND WORK TO ACCOMPLISH THEM.

NIRA SHAKERI

”

a demics with artistic swimming. Just months ago, Shakeri missed the first two weeks of school due to a tournament, forcing her to adapt to sophomore year weeks after everyone else. Throughout the school year, her hectic schedule, packed with going to school and never-ending practices, can be difficult to manage. Nonetheless,

despite these struggles, Shakeri still finds herself in control of it all.

“In difficult times, I’ve tried to keep my mind on my own goals and work to accomplish them,” Shakeri said. “I learned to find the positives and take the best of every situation. I have found coaches that I trust and teammates that I can rely on when things get hard.”

This realization is what pushes her to do better every day.

Many athletes choose to quit and ultimately decide to focus on other priorities; however, Shakeri continues to practice and love her sport so much so that the possibility of competing in the Olympics has appeared on the radar.

For most athletes, going to the Olympics is something they can only dream of. Yet for Shakeri, it is within arm’s reach. She plans on trying out for the USA Senior National Team, where she would then hopefully be selected to swim at the 2028 or future Olympics.

Shakeri’s persistent dedication to her sport is shown through her character and love of artistic swimming. In every part of her life, Shakeri’s bonds with her teammates and coaches are what drive her. Along with the reward of winning, her dedication challenges her to be a better swimmer each day

SPORTS | 21

nder the water’s heavy surface and the muffled cheers from the stadium around her, sophomore Nira Shakeri holds her breath, gearing up for her leap out of the water.

With a boost from her teammates, she comes flying out into a backflip as she continues her routine.

As an artistic swimmer on the United States Youth National Team, Shakeri practices day and night, always preparing herself for the next big competition.

Shakeri first began artistic swimming at the age of 5. After each swimming lesson, she would go down to the underwater windows and watch other athletes. She became intrigued while watching the older girls swimming with their heads underwater and feet spiraling in the air, sparking her interest in the sport.

“I met a lot of kids really quickly, and I loved [artistic swimming] from the beginning,” Shakeri said.

“I joined the competitive program [the next year] and started competing. It’s been a big part of my life since then, and I’ve made many lifelong friends.”

After joining the competitive program at 6 years old, Shakeri’s schedule became packed with practices and events. However, all that time spent on her sport would eventually pay off as she became an incredibly successful artistic swimmer.

In August 2025, she and her team competed at the Youth Artistic Swimming World Championships in Athens, Greece. Shakeri’s team placed second for the free team routine, and she placed in the top 20% of over 300 entries for individual figures. At the 2025 U.S. Youth National Championships,

Shakeri brought home a second place in Solos and a first place in both Team and Combo.

Undoubtedly, a coach is often one of the most important and influential figures in many athletes’ careers. Around every two years, Shakeri’s coach is switched out for a new one, due to a change in swimming levels, which can lead to complications.

As a result of these switches, Shakeri faces emotional and difficult challenges and hardships.

“It can be really difficult adjusting to different coaches who have different expectations,” Shakeri said. “The sport demands a high level of attention to detail, and it can be really hard to be at a high level in every area, and every mistake is a big deal.”

In addition to overcoming the consecutive changes in her coaches and intensive sport, Shakeri juggles prioritizing both a c -

t Of

22 | THE PROSPECTOR

midst the ongoing campus construction, many sports teams have faced setbacks this fall season, with both coaches and players adapting to the drastic changes. Football players now call another school’s field “home,” girls tennis has to work with a mere three courts and the marching b a n d m u s t

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F r e m o n t U n i o n High School District. The 18-month project was set to be built on the empty grass lot behind the school’s tennis courts, with plans to demolish one out of the seven tennis courts.

“That [grass] space wasn’t really being used for anything,” CHS Principal Bill Schloss said. “And as they looked around at different spots in the district, this just made the most sense as the place to put it.”

While the original plan was to demolish and relocate only one of the seven tennis courts, the surrounding construction unexpectedly left the tennis team with only three usable courts. As a result, both Junior Varsity and Varsity players had to share the limited space. Practices that once followed structured routines were adjusted to accommodate the reduced number of courts.

To combat the long duration of tennis matches, teams used to often play seven matches at a time, on all seven courts.

With only three courts, the tennis coaches have decided that almost all varsity matches will be away games, prioritizing efficiency.

“We had to be really organized and plan out rides really early in the season,”

no

KAYLA LEE, SARAH KIM

sophomore Netra Khot said. “We only have one home game this season, so people have to do a lot more rides this season than usual.”

In addition to the changes in the structure of games and practices, plans for girls’ tennis senior night remain up in the air as the varsity team may not play at CHS. “It’s pretty disappointing because senior night is supposed to be a time where our friends come and cheer us on as we play,” senior Shania Fang said. “If it’s [senior night] at a different school, then it might be more difficult for them to come out and support [us].”

Furthermore, the renovation of both the soccer field and football field has set back the football team and marching band. As FUHSD pushes for environmentally friendly practices, artificial turf was ultimately deemed more maintainable than natural grass. As both fields have been used for over 12 years, the turf has become less safe and has gradused ally worn down. clo CHS administration decided to replace the turf on both fields d u e to its 1 0 year

iel d

c a p Im n o i t c u r t s n Co s t r o p On S

tape lines for rehearsals.

In May 2025, Cupertino High School began its construction of the district robotics facility to provide a collaborative environment for robotics teams in all five high schools of the

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Exploring how Cupertino High School’s field cons

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truction is currently impacting fall sports

lifespan.

To overcome the loss of the field, the football coaches and administration collaborated to look for a compromise, ultimately deciding that the most convenient option was to host home games at Lynbrook High School. Coaches coordinated with Lynbrook’s team to ensure that none of the two schools’ home games would overlap for the duration of construction. With practices at Hyde Middle School, football must work around their schedule to make space for their practices, ultimately posing uncertainty for their overall performance in games.

“I think it was really good at first because some of the players helped me prepare the field,” CHS football Coach Matt Barr said.

“Though it’s [recently] been challenging because of school events.”

As for the marching band, their practices have been moved to the baseball field, painting lines to mimic the football field yard lines, putting the group two weeks behind in preparation for their showcase. Additionally, the marching band tradition of performing at football home game halftimes has been paused due to the inconvenience of holding their home games at Lynbrook.

Moreover, the annual band camp, a crucial event that allows freshmen to familiarize them-

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THIS IS JUST ANOTHER CHALLENGE THAT THE BAND [HAD] TO OVERCOME. RESILIENCE THROUGH ADVERSITY IS KINDA OUR THING.

ALYSSA YEE

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Tournament of the Bands in October, a competition where multiple schools compete against each other, performing on the field. As it is one of band’s first performances of their season, the competition held high importance and initially posed a slight concern for the tournament.

“It was scary how unsure the school was that the field would be ready in time [for TOB],” Yee said.

“This is just another

challenge that band [had] to overcome.

Resilience

is kin-

da our thing.”

While the setbacks of sports seasons and band practices have been a large hurdle, construction on both fields is expected to wrap up by the end of October, meaning that teams could soon return to their regular facilities.

The robotics facility will allow for additional classroom spaces and a distinct site for competitions, while the turf will allow for safer spaces for athletes. Despite these initial inconveniences, these necessary renovations and construction will provide long-lasting benefits for CHS students for years to come

SPORTS | 23

selves with marching, was delayed due to the painting of the baseball field.

“We had to just do basics. We couldn’t start drill [...] and drill is when we actually start marking in our field,” d r u m major Alyssa Yee said.

“And right now, I feel like maybe their marching isn’t as good because it wasn’t on the football field originally, and that usually helps in basics and everything.”

Furthermore, CHS hosts the

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TION CAUTION CAU CAUTION

Diving into how controversial marketing ploys are losing effectiveness

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EMILY CHEN

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CONTROVERSIAL MARKETING TACTICS THAT PROVOKE STRONG IMPRESSIONS WERE ONCE A SUREFIRE WAY TO GAIN TRACTION, BUT HAVE NOW BECOME A RISKY STRATEGY [...].

EMILY CHEN

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days, and boosted San Francisco store traffic by 21% according to American Broadcasting Company, with a national increase of 8.5%.

American Eagle is not the only company feeling the heat from the public. Shortly after, e.l.f. Cosmetics dropped a campaign with comedian Matt Rife. Given his polarizing humor surrounding jokes about domestic violence, many saw the collaboration as ill-fitting.

E.l.f. Cosmetics is a company with core values such as empowerment, affordability and inclusivity, and primarily targets a female consumer base. The decision to partner with Rife was thought to be a major misalignment between company values and the comedian’s reputation.

Following consumer disapproval and threats of boycott, e.l.f. issued an apology saying,

“You know us, we’re always listening and we’ve heard you. This campaign aimed to humorously spotlight beauty injustice. We understand we missed the mark with people we care about in our e.l.f. community.”

Despite the apology, the company’s stock suffered a 2.7% fall, and many long-time customers refused to keep supporting the brand.

Said one customer in National Broadcasting Company Chicago, “As a survivor [of domestic violence], you should be ashamed of yourselves. I’ll never buy from you again.”

The campaign’s fallout was unexpected to e.l.f.’s Global Chief of Marketing Officer, Kory Marchisotto. Said Marchisotto, “Obviously, we’re very surprised. There is a big gap between our intention and how this missed the mark for people.”

This demonstrates a disconnect between the brand and public perception, revealing a poor understanding of customers’ values — authenticity and representation.

However, outrage marketing is still considered effective — sales for these companies still saw positive impacts despite their controversial campaigns. These outcomes make it clear that controversial campaigns can still bring in small wins and short-term success.

While controversial marketing can drive attention, it does not benefit these companies longterm. Foot traffic dropped and fading online buzz shows consumers becoming more media literate and quick to hold companies accountable for offensive content.

The question remains: does the mantra “all press is good press” still hold true — or has chasing clicks come at a bigger cost?

LIFESTYLES | 25

ontroversy still sells — but for how long? In recent marketing campaigns, there is a noticeable shift: instead of generating buzz and increasing sales, companies chasing their 15 minutes of fame are learning the hard way that today’s audiences are more critical and aware of shock value tactics — making campaigns come across as a brand’s desperate attempt to go viral.

Controversial marketing tactics that provoke strong impressions were once a surefire way to gain traction, but have now become a risky strategy that can backfire as easily as they can succeed. Current clothing and makeup campaigns demonstrate this shift: while they succeeded in generating short-lived attention, public response revealed an indifference towards controversial advertising that feels performative. Thus, it begs the question: Is going viral worth compromising a brand’s authenticity and values?

The summer of 2025 kicked off with a flurry of controversial advertisements. Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad, released in July, was met with immediate backlash. The ad features the tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” and portrays the actress in a polished, traditionally feminine way.

What was intended as a lighthearted advertisement sparked criticism over social media for flaunting Sweeney’s genetics that fit the industry’s narrow beauty standards, disregarding the fashion industry’s push for inclusivity.

According to Associated Press News, social media outrage initially led to a 33% stock jump and a surge of online attention that dominated headlines for weeks. Yet the online momentum only told half of

the story — at the cost of trading authenticity for virality, in-person stores experienced a 9% fall in foot traffic, revealing a gap between online engagement and real-world impacts. Furthermore, the company disappointed consumers by offering no apology, dismissing expectations for brand values.

In contrast, KATSEYE’s Gap ad, released in August, generated a far more positive response.

Critics praised Gap for presenting a refreshing, youthful ad whilst still embracing diversity. The ad garnered 20 million views in just three

MADALINA ZHENG

W

investigations editor

26 | DESIGNED BY ATRISA RAHGOZAR

ith a matcha in one hand and a tote bag adorned with a Labubu keychain in the other, the performative male listens to Clairo through wired earbuds on his way to pilates class.

The term “performative male” describes a man who adopts traits, mannerisms and aesthetics typically associated with the feminist community, but solely for the purpose of appealing to the opposite gender.

The trend was

kick-started in 2025 by celebrities like Timothée Chalamet, whose soft demeanor and androgynous appearance skyrocketed his popularity. The appeal of these characteristics dates back to the 19th century, when shifting class relations during the Industrial Era led to an increased value for emotionally sensitive men over their aggressive counterparts. A taste for fashion and aesthetics became markers of a distinguished gentleman.

Toxic masculinity, or the strict adherence to traditional male gender roles that promotes harmful behavior, likely contributed to the development of this archetype.

As more women reject men who exhibit these problematic characteristics, performative males adopt feminist interests to distance themselves from machismo.

The recent rise of performative males has gained traction on social media, with TikTok accounts dedicated to “catching them in the wild.”

CULT

Examining the recent rise of feminist traits, sometimes for Contests originally designed to find celebrity lookalikes have been replaced by the search for the picture-perfect performative male.

These competitions mock the superficial interests of this archetype, and contestants are judged based on how well they align with the internet meme. Common winning strategies include holding a feminist book upside down, wearing baggy cargo pants, carrying an absurd amount of matcha drinks and handing out tampons to the crowd.

Each recognizable aspect of the performative male plays a part in the ultimate goal of earning female approval. Wired headphones and other analog devices evoke a feeling of nostalgia, which contributes to the classic boy-next-door vibe. An interest in indie artists like Clairo and Laufey shows an understanding of cultural references.

Reading feminist literature implies intellect and emotional maturity, which are traits highly desired by women.

Performative males, although seemingly just another internet archetype, have developed a noto-

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On the contrary, labeling all men with feminine interests as manipulative reinforces rigid gender norms. The stereotype stems from the belief that men cannot genuperformative men: showing off inely enjoy feminine hobbies or attention, sometimes for style aesthetics without having an ulterior motive. Performative rious online reputation as manip- males stray from traditionulators. Many women criticize the ally “masculine” forms of artificiality of these men with claims self-expression, which that they practice faux feminism. is an act of resistance Faux feminism, or pseudo-femi- against the binary gennism, is defined as inauthentically der roles of toxic masusing feminist rhetoric for ulterior culinity. Generalizing motives, rather than addressing that all men with a true gender equality. As identify- fondness for mating as a feminist becomes increas- cha and Labubus ingly synonymous with social and are performative political correctness, more indi- ends up policviduals — particularly men — are ing masculinity adopting the label without under- and discouragstanding and acting upon the nu- ing authentic ances behind the term. Performa- s e l f - e x p r e s tive males are the prime example sion. of this phenomenon.

W h e n Since performative males are stripped of their largely motivated by appealing to trendy social media feminist women, they are also ac- products, performacused of lacking genuine support tive males are often for the movement. Women have seen as manipureported a heightened sense of lators. However, safety around men who present their existence themselves as feminists, so some reveals deeper men may adopt the feminist label insights into how to gain women’s trust, only to vi- masculinity is steolate it later. Others may claim to reotyped be feminist to excuse their misogynistic practices, such as making sexist comments.

POSTSCRIPT

Exploring the underlying meanings behind experiencing nostalgia in high school NOSTALGIA TELLS ME I’M DOING SOMETHING WRONG IZUMI RUBIN

28 | DESIGNED BY CATHY WU

writer

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’d always believed nostalgia was a calling to the past. As an elementary and middle school student, I rarely experienced the emotion. Whenever one of my phases ended, I was already invested in the next one.

For instance, I was obsessed with Harry Potter from late-elementary to early-middle school, swept in an endless cycle of reading the books, watching the movies and scavenging the internet for merchandise. However, despite this fervor, I was unaware of the last time I read the books or watched the films. I couldn’t name the final product I purchased. My interests had seamlessly transitioned into fantasizing over shoebill storks, motionless birds that intrigued my middle school self with their distinguished expressions. In other words, my mind always revolved around the present, and my eyes always looked straight ahead. My heart was content with my life.

In fact, I was so grounded in the present that I outright rejected nostalgia during this time. Starting my freshman year of high school, I increasingly noticed my dad saying “the good old days.” If homework restrained me from shopping with him, I’d hear, “In the good old days, you went to Target with me.” If a due date forced me to eat dinner slightly later than the rest of my family, “We ate dinner together in the good old days.” I’d take this phrase as an insult, as I felt it was my dad’s way of telling me that he thought the past was better than the present — that he felt happier when I was younger.

I couldn’t understand why someone would deliberately want to view the world through such a lens.

The answer hit me this past summer, only two years after I’d forbidden my dad from saying “the good old days.” I was suddenly glued t o the couch, watching the Harry Potter movies twice from start to finish. I

would want to turn away and migrate from the present, polluted by pressures and expectations, to the only state of happiness it’d ever experienced — the past.

The unfortunate reality is that I felt the need to stop and turn back as a high school junior — someone who’d only experienced a snippet of life’s potential. However, if the future is truly limitless, why would my mind gravitate toward the past, when the future also offers an escape from the present? I be-

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was texting my friends from first grade, calling them on the phone as we rummaged through our stashes of LEGO bricks and attempted to reconstruct sets we demolished almost a decade ago. In these ways, I’d experienced an impulse to sift through the rubble of my past and remold it into a makeshift one I could relive in the present. I’d stopped looking forward. Nostalgia had become a calling of the past, a calling I couldn’t help but answer.

The real question lies in why my life decided to stop in its tracks — why it felt the abrupt urge to retrace its steps, why it accepted nostalgia with open arms. In hindsight, I now realize that the answer is related to the misery associated with the present. In the present, grades and college dictate selfworth. Life’s purpose isn’t to fulfill yourself, but rather to fill the bullet points of a resume.

No wonder my mind

lieve the sense of certainty drives this paradox. The past is certain — I know I’ll associate my past hobbies with positive emotions. There’s comfort in knowing that if I turn to the past, it’s guaranteed to embrace me with a period I associate with innocence a n d simplicity. However, the future is unknown. I could be significantly more content with my life in the future, yet there’s an equal chance I’ll be drowning in new expectations and pressures of society. Therefore, when the present is difficult, my mind instinctively seeks refuge in “the good old days.”

In this way, nostalgia has opened my eyes to the escapism I seek in the past. Yet nostalgia also serves as a gentle reminder that I have a withering pres- ent I must mend into a cohesive future — a future that I’ll eventually want nostalgia to take me back to when I’m my dad’s age. It turns out nostalgia isn’t just a calling to the past. Nostalgia is a wake-up call — a calling to rediscover the happiness in life

STRANDS: THE SUMMER I Inspired by the New York Times Strands — today’s theme is the Summer I...

30 | THE PROSPECTOR

Verbs

TURNED PRETTY

REBECCA WAWDA sports editor

1) Using the first grid, circle or highlight a group of letters that make a word. You can go up and down, and left and right as many times as needed.

2) Repeat for the box on the right.

3) Choose a word from each box to fill into the phrase “The Summer I _____ _____.” Mix and match combinations to your preference!

Nouns

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